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The Changing Nature of Warfare, 1859–1991: Perception and Reality

The impact of submarines, 1917-18

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 3

Overview

Recall questions on unrestricted submarine warfare, how close it came to success, why Germany accepted American entry, convoy and why the Admiralty resisted it.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What was the impact of submarines in 1917–18?

Numbers

What British counter-measures defeated the U-boats in the First World War?

Numbers

What was unrestricted submarine warfare?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What was the impact of submarines in 1917–18?

    Model answer

    German unrestricted U-boat warfare inflicted heavy shipping losses and threatened to starve Britain into surrender.

  2. 2

    What British counter-measures defeated the U-boats in the First World War?

    Model answer

    The convoy system (from 1917), together with depth charges and hydrophones, sharply cut losses and overcame the U-boat threat.

  3. 3

    What was unrestricted submarine warfare?

    Model answer

    Sinking merchant ships without warning, adopted by Germany in February 1917 to starve Britain out before America could intervene effectively.

  4. 4

    How close did the U-boats come to success?

    Model answer

    In April 1917 they sank 860,000 tons and one ship in four leaving Britain never returned, leaving perhaps six weeks of food supply.

  5. 5

    Why did Germany accept the risk of American entry?

    Model answer

    It calculated that Britain could be defeated in five months, before American forces could arrive in strength, a gamble that failed.

  6. 6

    What was the convoy system?

    Model answer

    Grouping merchant ships under naval escort, adopted reluctantly in May 1917, which cut losses dramatically because submarines had to face escorts to attack.

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