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Download free ww1 dreadnought6/19/2023 ![]() ![]() There was only 1 main battle at the sea which challenged Britain's supremacy – the Battle of Jutland (31st May – 1st June 1916).The sinking of the Lusitania was one of the main reasons that America joined the war.This caused an outrage in America, and helped to solidify the role that America later played the war.Germans claimed that they had intelligence that the ship was carrying munitions for Britain.An American passenger ship which was sunk by a German U Boat on 7th May 1915.Caused an American ship to sink – the Lusitania.Only sunk 4% of British ships during 1915.In Feb 1915, Germany claimed that all merchant ships entering or leaving Britain would be destroyed – Unrestricted Warfare.German planned to end this trade by the use of U Boats.Britain is an island, so relies heavily in the merchant fleets to import food.They both aimed to infiltrate the enemies trade route to starve them into submission.Trade routes were vital for both sides for personal supplies.Germany did not need the naval routes to help her allies, but they did need food and other supplies from overseas.Therefore, the British navy was extremely cautious to avoid mines and battles - Winston Churchill believed that if they were to lose too many ships too quickly, they could lose the war in one afternoon.As an island, Britain relied on food and industrial imports from other countries particularly from USA.Britain needed to transport men and supplies to the areas of direct fighting.The naval race caused a lot of negative feelings towards Germany, and they were portrayed the new enemy (no longer France or Russia).Britain retaliated by building 8 more battleships.Germany wanted to build a navy of equal power to their military and so quickly expanded their fleet.In1906, Britain launched the Dreadnaught.Britain had always had a very powerful navy. ![]()
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