Final answer:
The German government adopted submarine warfare in response to economic pressures from the British naval blockade, the strategic need to undermine the Western Allies' supply lines across the Atlantic, and to utilize their technological advantage in submarine capabilities given their weaker surface navy. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The German government resorted to submarine warfare due to several factors, including:
- Economic pressure exerted by the British-led naval blockade which severely curtailed the inflow of supplies and food to Germany.
- A strategic military imper ative to counteract the dependence of the Western Allies on American food and credit through a blockade of their own, effectively using their submarines to sink supply ships crossing the Atlantic.
- The adoption of new military strategies that utilized the technological advancements of submarines due to the inability of their surface navy to successfully challenge the might of the British Royal Navy.
Despite initial restrictions after incidents such as the sinking of the Lusitania, the dire situation of being starved of resources forced Germany to return to unrestricted submarine warfare. This desperate measure was seen as a force multiplier in their favor, given the advanced efficiency and stealth of their U-boats.
Hence, Option a is correct.