1. Effects of Allied blockade
1914, $70 million in trade with Central powers
1916, trade reduced to $1.3 million
Allied trade
Grew from $825 million to $3.2 billion in same time period
WWI transformed the US from a debtor to a creditor nation

2. The Germans could not match Great Britain's superior navy.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
The Germans could not match Great Britain's superior navy.
Germans introduced unrestricted submarine warfare with U-Boats
Germans warned the world they would sink any ship they believed was carrying contraband to Great Britain.

3. U-Boats Two types small subs with a crew of 24
larger subs with a crew of 60
44 by 1918
By 1918, Germans had sunk 6,500 allied ships.

4. Lusitania ad

6. Germans believed it was carrying contraband (weapons) to the British.
SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA
May 7, 1915, the Germans sunk the Lusitania which was British passenger liner.
Germans believed it was carrying contraband (weapons) to the British.
Killed 1,198 civilians including 128 Americans.
U.S. and other countries outraged towards Germany because of “unrestricted submarine warfare”.
US believed the Germans had violated international law of targeting civilians

7. Lusitania

8. BUT, President Wilson was able “keep us out of war” ….
SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA
After the sinking of the Lusitania, public opinion of most Americans was to go to war with Germany.
Germany promised they would not sink anymore ships unless warning them first and providing safety for civilians.
BUT, President Wilson was able “keep us out of war” ….

9. X
Sussex Sunk: led to Sussex Pledge in May Germany promised not to sink anymore ships.
war zone