WWI The First Modern War: The Germans Engage In Unrestricted Submarine Warfare | History

HISTORY

28 Jul 201402:11

Summary

TLDRIn 1915, Germany declared an exclusion zone for unrestricted submarine warfare, aiming to sever Britain's vital supply lines by attacking all enemy ships without warning. This tactic was effective but risky, as it led to civilian ships being targeted. By April, German U-boats had sunk 39 merchant ships, causing a humanitarian crisis and drawing the United States closer to entering the war.

Takeaways

🚩 Germany declared an exclusion zone for unrestricted submarine warfare, aiming to sever British commerce and war supplies.
🛳️ The strategy targeted both military and civilian ships without warning, to cut off Britain's vital imports.
🇬🇧 Britain relied heavily on shipping lanes, particularly from the US and South America, for survival during the war.
🔄 Initially, Germany followed international naval rules, allowing civilian ships to surrender before being sunk.
🔍 The British quickly adapted by arming merchant ships to counter the surfaced submarines, creating a dangerous dynamic.
🚫 Submarines faced logistical issues, unable to accommodate all crew and passengers, leading to inhumane tactics.
🎯 The new rules of engagement led to rapid results, with 39 merchant ships sunk by German U-boats by April 1915.
🔫 Both torpedoes and deck guns were utilized by German submarines in their unrestricted warfare campaign.
⚔️ The 'shoot on sight' policy inadvertently put American ships and citizens at risk, complicating German strategy.
🌐 Unrestricted submarine warfare posed a dilemma for Germany as it risked sinking ships of neutral nations, escalating tensions.

Q & A

What was Germany's strategy during unrestricted submarine warfare?
-Germany's strategy was to attack all enemy ships, both military and civilian, without warning to cut off all British commerce and vital war supplies.
Why was cutting off British commerce and supplies considered crucial by Germany?
-Cutting off British commerce and supplies was crucial because it would force Britain to starve and potentially leave the war, as Britain relied heavily on imports for survival.
How did Britain respond to Germany's submarine warfare tactics?
-Britain responded by arming their merchant ships so that when a German submarine surfaced, the merchant ship could engage in combat.
What were the issues with the International Rules of Engagement for naval vessels before unrestricted submarine warfare?
-The issues included the vulnerability of submarines when surfaced and the impracticality of evacuating passengers and crew to safety, as there was not enough space on the submarine.
What was the consequence of unrestricted submarine warfare for German submarines?
-Unrestricted submarine warfare allowed German submarines to attack without following the International Rules of Engagement, leading to faster results but also putting American ships and civilians at risk.
How did Germany's new tactic affect the number of ships sunk?
-By the end of April 1915, German U-boats sank 39 merchant ships using both torpedoes and deck guns, indicating the effectiveness of the new tactic.
What was the main problem with unrestricted submarine warfare from a German perspective?
-The main problem was that it was difficult to distinguish the nationality of the ships being sunk, which could lead to the sinking of neutral or friendly vessels.
Why was it considered inhumane to use submarines in the traditional way during the war?
-It was considered inhumane because submarines had to surface to give civilians a chance to surrender and abandon ship, which made them vulnerable, and there was not enough space to accommodate all passengers and crew.
What was the impact of unrestricted submarine warfare on American ships and civilians?
-Unrestricted submarine warfare put American ships and civilians in the crossfire, as they could be attacked without warning, leading to potential loss of life and property.
How did the new rules of engagement for German submarines differ from the previous ones?
-The new rules allowed German submarines to attack immediately upon sighting enemy ships, without the requirement to surface and give warning, thus making the attacks more efficient but also more dangerous for non-combatants.

Outlines

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🚢 German Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany declared an exclusion zone for unrestricted submarine warfare, aiming to sever British commerce and war supplies by attacking all enemy ships without warning. This strategy targeted the shipping lanes from the United States and South America, which were vital for Britain's survival. Initially, Germany followed international naval rules, allowing civilian ships to surrender before being sunk. However, this approach was problematic due to the vulnerability of surfaced submarines and the quick British adaptation of arming merchant ships. The new tactic of shooting on sight led to the sinking of 39 merchant ships by April 1915, but it also risked involving American ships and civilians in the conflict, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of unrestricted submarine warfare.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Exclusion Zone

An exclusion zone is a designated area where certain activities are restricted or prohibited. In the context of the video, Germany establishes an exclusion zone for unrestricted submarine warfare, aiming to prevent enemy ships from entering or passing through. This strategy is crucial for Germany to cut off British commerce and war supplies, illustrating the severity of the naval blockade.

💡Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Unrestricted submarine warfare refers to the tactic of submarines attacking enemy ships without warning or following the rules of engagement that protect civilian vessels. The video highlights Germany's adoption of this tactic to cripple British supply lines during wartime. This approach is significant as it escalates the conflict and poses a direct threat to neutral nations' shipping, including the United States.

💡British Commerce

British commerce encompasses all trade activities vital to Britain's economy. The video script mentions that Britain relies heavily on imports, particularly from the United States and South America, to sustain itself. The German strategy to cut off these supply lines via submarine warfare directly threatens Britain's ability to continue the war effort.

💡Rules of Engagement

Rules of engagement are protocols that dictate how military forces interact with each other and with non-combatants during conflict. Initially, Germany followed these rules by surfacing submarines to give civilian ships a chance to surrender. However, the video explains the impracticality and danger of this approach, leading to the adoption of unrestricted submarine warfare.

💡Merchant Ships

Merchant ships are vessels used for commercial purposes, transporting goods and cargo. The video script indicates that these ships, often unarmed or ill-prepared for combat, became targets under Germany's new submarine warfare tactics. This shift had significant implications for global trade and the safety of civilian vessels.

💡Submarine

A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. In the video, German submarines are depicted as a critical tool in the naval warfare, used to enforce the exclusion zone and attack enemy ships. The effectiveness of submarines is underscored by their ability to sink merchant ships, demonstrating their role as a decisive weapon in the war.

💡Torpedoes

Torpedoes are self-propelled explosive devices used by submarines to attack surface ships. The video mentions the use of torpedoes as a method of engagement by German submarines, highlighting their lethality and the immediate threat they posed to enemy shipping.

💡Deck Guns

Deck guns are mounted artillery pieces on a ship's deck used for surface combat. The video script refers to German submarines using their deck guns to sink merchant ships, indicating a shift from潜行 tactics to more overt attacks, further emphasizing the severity of unrestricted submarine warfare.

💡Crossfire

Crossfire refers to a situation where opposing forces are exchanging fire across a common area, often leading to collateral damage. In the video, the term is used to describe the danger faced by American ships and civilians due to Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare, illustrating the broader impact of the conflict on neutral parties.

💡Neutral Nations

Neutral nations are countries that do not take sides in a conflict. The video discusses how unrestricted submarine warfare threatened neutral nations' shipping, potentially drawing them into the conflict. This aspect of the video underscores the broader geopolitical implications of Germany's tactics.

💡Starve

In the context of the video, 'starve' is used metaphorically to describe the strategic goal of cutting off supplies to force Britain into submission. The term illustrates the harsh realities of war, where economic and trade restrictions are used as a form of warfare, potentially leading to severe hardship for the civilian population.

Highlights

Germany announces an exclusion zone for unrestricted submarine warfare.

The campaign aims to attack all enemy ships, military and civilian, without warning.

The goal is to cut off all British commerce and vital war supplies.

Britain relies on ships, largely from the United States and South America, for survival.

German submarines could force Britain to leave the war by cutting off external supplies.

Previously, Germany followed International Rules of Engagement for naval vessels.

Submarines were vulnerable when surfaced, leading to armed merchant ships targeting them.

Submarines couldn't capture ships and safely transport passengers and crew.

Unrestricted submarine warfare led to the sinking of 39 merchant ships by April 1915.

The new tactic of shooting on sight involved the use of torpedoes and deck guns.

American ships and civilians were caught in the crossfire of unrestricted submarine warfare.

The problem for Germany was the inability to identify the nationality of ships being sunk.

Unrestricted submarine warfare was inhumane and fast but had significant consequences.

The strategy put immense pressure on Britain's supply lines, potentially leading to starvation.

The change in submarine warfare tactics marked a significant shift in naval strategy.

The impact of unrestricted submarine warfare on international relations and diplomacy.

The challenges faced by submarines in adhering to international laws while engaging enemy ships.

The tactical and strategic advantages of unrestricted submarine warfare for Germany.

The humanitarian concerns and ethical dilemmas posed by unrestricted submarine warfare.