Final answer:
Germany's utilization of U-boats altered naval combat, attacking Allied ships covertly and playing a role in the U.S. entering World War I, and provoking advances in Allied naval technology in World War II.
Step-by-step explanation:
Germany's use of the U-boat, or submarine, fundamentally changed the rules of naval warfare during the two World Wars. In an attempt to rival the mighty British navy, Germany developed a fleet of submarines that could operate stealthily and attack enemy ships with torpedoes. This approach allowed the Germans to enforce a blockade against Great Britain and impose serious threats to the Allied maritime supplies. The destructive impact of German U-boats peaked during World War I, leading to numerous ship sinkings, including the infamous Lusitania, and eventually played a part in bringing the United States into the war. Their use again in World War II led to advancements in naval technology such as radar and sonar, which the Allies used to neutralize the U-boat threat and secure control over the Atlantic Ocean.