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. 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 20 th 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) http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/ludendorff- offensive

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.)