Germany’s decision to reinstate unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917 stemmed from a complex interplay of military, political, and economic factors. Facing a stalemate on the Western Front and a British naval blockade that was crippling its economy, German leadership gambled on a high-risk strategy. They believed that by cutting off vital supplies to Britain, primarily food and war materials from the United States, they could force a swift British surrender before American intervention could meaningfully impact the war. This calculation underestimated the potential for provoking the United States and overestimated the speed with which submarine warfare could cripple Britain.
This decision proved pivotal in the course of World War I. While German U-boats initially inflicted heavy losses on Allied shipping, the resumption of unrestricted attacks ultimately backfired. The sinking of neutral merchant ships, including American vessels, inflamed public opinion in the United States, pushing the country closer to war. The outrage generated by attacks such as the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 (though technically before the official resumption of unrestricted warfare), coupled with Germany’s perceived disregard for international law, provided compelling reasons for American intervention on the side of the Allies. This intervention significantly altered the balance of power, contributing to Germany’s eventual defeat.
