Allied Naval blockade

What was the main aim of the Allied naval blockade?

To deprive Germany of supplies and weaken it until it was forced out of the war.

Which country was primarily responsible for the blockade?

Britain, using the Royal Navy.

Why was Britain able to impose a naval blockade?

Britain had been the dominant naval power since its victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805

What was the basic principle of a naval blockade?

Prevent enemy ships from leaving or entering ports, cutting the enemy off from supplies and trade

Why was the blockade part of economic warfare?

It aimed to damage Germany's economy by cutting off imports of food, raw materials and other supplies.

How did Britain traditionally blockade enemy ports?

Fleets of smaller/light ships would block enemy shipping, supported by larger warships such as dreadnoughts

Why was blockading Germany particularly challenging?

British ships had to operate in the North Sea, where they faced German torpedoes and mines

What new strategy did Britain use against Germany?

Britain effectively closed the North Sea to German shipping.

Why was the English Channel important?

It helped prevent German submarines and shipping from accessing the Atlanti

What was the intended effect of turning the North Sea into a "no man's land"?

To cut Germany off from overseas supplies and gradually starve its economy and population of essential resource

Approximately what proportion of Germany's food did it import?

Approximately one quarter (25%)

What was the value of German and Austrian exports to the USA in 1914?

Approximately $124 million.

What was the value of German and Austrian exports to the USA in 1915?

Only around $22 million.

Could neutral ships pass through the blockade?

Yes, generally, unless they were carrying contraband or enemy goods.

When did Britain put its distant blockade into action?

Immediately after the outbreak of war in 1914

What happened to German overseas trade during 1914–1916?

German trade by sea effectively ceased

Why did German shipping largely disappear from the seas?

German ships often remained in neutral ports to avoid being captured by the British

When did the blockade become significantly more damaging

1916 onwards

How did the United States entering the war affect the blockade?

It gave the blockade a major boost, further reducing Germany's access to overseas resources.

How many German deaths have been estimated as directly caused by the blockade according to your notes?

Approximately 772,736 deaths.