1. MINES AND SUBMARINES
Germany turned to submarine attacks and tried to block Britain using U-boats to sink merchant ships.
Previously naval actions had taken place on the surface.
The development of torpedoes and submarines made big battleships almost defenseless causing losses of Allied ships.
Neutral ships were also sunk (Lusitania).
Germany thought the underwater campaign would make Britain and France surrender before the USA joined them.

3. HOW DID BRITAIN SURVIVE THE U-BOAT BLOCKADE?
U-boat warfare was successful at the beginning because they attacked unarmed merchant ships traveling alone without any protection.
Lloyd George – Britain – supported the idea of a convoy system which was later accepted.
October 1917 was the turning point.
USA contributed with ships making German’s unable to reduce the overall volume of Allied ships.
Development of hydrophone, depth charges, sonar (1918) echo ranging; and submarine nets.

4. JUTLAND – JUNE 1916
May 31 – June 1
Admiral Reinhard Scheer tried to attack part of the British fleet out of its base.
Britain deciphered German radio signals and more British ships came out (approx. 250)
Lost ships: G 11vs B 14
Britain maintained the control of the surface waters.

5. AIRSHIPS, BOMBS, CIVILIAN TARGETS
WAR IN THE AIR
AIRSHIPS, BOMBS, CIVILIAN TARGETS
Were more useful than aero planes, more reliable, carried heavy loads and had greater range.
Britain – escorting ships and spotting U-boats.
Germany – 30 Zeppelins and carried out bombings on civilian and industrial targets but were and easy target too.
British defenses improved and Germany started using bomber aircraft.
Gotha caused almost 3000 casualties in London and SE England.
Attacking civilians from the air had already become a feature of 20th century war by 1918.

8. REASONS FOR GERMANY’S DEFEAT IN WW1
Counting on a quick victory with the Schlieffen Plan.
Passing through Belgium and bringing Britain to the war.
Failing on wearing down the strength of France and Britain at Verdun.
U-boat unrestricted warfare – bringing the USA to the war.
Ludendorff Offensive (Spring offensive of 1918) – accumulated strain and hopelessness of the situation broke the army’s will (Alexander Watson)

9. WEAKNESSES
Having weak allies
Helping the Austrians and Bulgarians
Bulgaria was defeated, and Turkey surrendered in October
Low morale among the German army
Dire economic situation by 1918 – supplies were not reaching the army and the population was ready for revolution.
Non-efficient administration
70% fall of agricultural production in some areas

10. ALLIES’ STRENGHTS
Greater men and resources
Stronger allies working together
Having the USA as an allied.
Blockade on Germany while Britain could still import food.
Convoy system
Development of tanks, artillery, aircraft and infantry.
US troops arrived in France in June 1918 and lacked the “war weariness” of European soldiers.
America’s massive economic resources addressed to the war.
The US contributed with money (more than $7.7 billion were lent), weaponry and warships.

11. American participation spelled the defeat of German ambitions.
Akira Iriye
(Akira Iriye is an historian of American diplomatic history especially United States-East Asian relations, and international issues.)