How Did the Submarine Impact WW1?
The impact of the submarine on World War I was significant and far-reaching. Before the war, submarines were not a major threat to navies, but as technology advanced and more nations began to develop their own submarine fleets, they became a key component of naval warfare.
Contents
At the outbreak of the war, the major naval powers, including Britain, Germany, France, and Austria-Hungary, quickly began to deploy their submarine fleets. The first naval engagement of the war was the sinking of the German cruiser SMS Emden by the Australian cruiser HMS Sydney on September 9, 1914.
Initially, both sides employed submarines to attack enemy merchant ships and disrupt supply lines. The Germans were the most aggressive, sinking several large ships, including the British passenger liner Lusitania, which carried hundreds of civilians and was widely considered a humanitarian disaster. The sinking of the Lusitania, along with other civilian ship losses, contributed to a surge in public anti-German sentiment and fueled the U.S. decision to enter the war.
Economic Warfare
The impact of the submarine on the war economy was significant. The Germans attempted to cut off British supplies by sinking cargo ships carrying food, oil, and other essential goods. Britain, on the other hand, attempted to blockade Germany, denying them access to international trade.
Table 1: Estimated number of Allied and German merchant ships sunk by submarines during WW1
| Country | Ships Sunk |
|---|---|
| Britain | 1,200-1,500 |
| Germany | 5,000-6,000 |
| France | 1,000-1,500 |
As the war continued, both sides implemented various tactics to counter the threat. Germany introduced the U-boat, a long-range submarine capable of sinking larger ships, while Britain developed convoy systems, where groups of ships sailed together, protected by escorts.
New Technologies and Strategies
Several new technologies and strategies emerged during the war, significantly impacting the role of the submarine. Wireless communication allowed submarines to send and receive messages in real-time, enhancing coordination with other ships and fleets.
Asymmetric Warfare: The Germans introduced a new strategy, employing small, fast U-boats to attack and destroy convoys. These smaller submarines were difficult to detect and destroy, catching Allied ships off guard and significantly disrupting supply lines.
Key Conclusions
The impact of the submarine on World War I was:
• Global : The war saw submarines involved in conflicts around the world, from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific.
• Economic: Submarines significantly disrupted global trade and supply chains, contributing to shortages, price increases, and social unrest.
• Innovative: The war accelerated the development of new technologies, such as wireless communication, and tactics, such as convoy systems.
• Destructive: The war saw numerous civilian casualties, with millions displaced and many innocent lives lost.
The war ended with the surrender of Germany in November 1918, and the subsequent signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The impact of the submarine on World War I highlighted the devastating potential of this new technology and contributed to the development of future naval strategies.
Bibliography
- "The Imperial German Navy in the First World War" by Keith W. Brian (1989)
- "Submarine Warfare" by Bernard Ireland (2018)
- "World War I: A Very Short Introduction" by John M. Thompson (2007)
Note: The exact number of ships sunk is still debated among historians and is difficult to verify due to incomplete records.
