31 May-1 Jun 1916 — The dreadnought fleets meet in their one great encounter. Britain loses more ships and men, while Germany returns to port and never again comes out at fleet scale. The tactical result is a draw; the strategic result is clearer.
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The world map shows a front without a trench line. Britain controlled the exits from the North Sea and could restrict the overseas trade on which Germany depended. Food, fertilizer and raw materials became harder to obtain. The pressure accumulated gradually, but its effects were felt in severe civilian hunger. Estimates of the deaths attributable to the blockade remain disputed.
Why it happened — The fleet and its diplomatic purpose. Admiral Tirpitz intended the “risk fleet” to make a war against Germany so dangerous that Britain would prefer neutrality and concessions, including…
The turn — Convoy begins in May 1917. Escorted convoys began in May 1917. During the following six months shipping losses fell sharply and U-boat losses rose; one comparison puts the…
What it changed — The United States enters. The United States entered the war on 6 April 1917 after unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann telegram helped end its neutrality. The…
