The War at Sea
History: KS3, topic 16.3.8
The War at Sea
The European powers had prepared their navies for years before the war. Maritime warfare (warfare at sea) was incredibly important in WW1.
Maritime warfare
- Britain had always had a very strong navy because of its 'two-power standard' (having a stronger navy than the next two powers combined).
- Britain may have had a stronger and larger navy, but Germany had new technology, such as u-boats (submarines).
Importance of the navy
- Both sides were aware that if they lost their navy, the whole war could be lost.
- Because of this there were few serious naval battles between the sides in WW1.
- Britain was able to intercept the German naval code and decode its messages.
Supply chains
- The main objective of maritime (sea) warfare was to stop supplies from reaching the enemy.
How did the German navy threaten Britain?
- The German navy threatened Britain in the following ways:
- By attacking supply ships carrying raw materials.
- By attacking ships Britain was sending to its allies.
- By stopping communication between Britain and its empire.
How did the British navy threaten Germany?
- The British navy threatened Germany in the following ways:
- By blockading their ports and stopping supplies from reaching the German home front.
- By stopping communication between Germany and its empire.
Test yourself on The War at Sea
How did the German navy threaten Britain?
How did the British navy threaten Germany?