Final answer:
Germany resorted to unrestricted submarine warfare to disrupt the Allied supply chain from the United States, seeking a swift victory in World War I despite risking engagement with neutral countries, notably the U.S., which contributed to the escalation towards America's entry into the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Was Germany Sinking Neutral Ships?
During World War I, Germany engaged in unrestricted submarine warfare, sinking merchant vessels without warning in designated war zones. The strategy aimed to sever the supply lines from the United States to the Allies, primarily Great Britain and France, which were reliant on American resources and materials. Despite U.S. neutrality, German U-boats targeted U.S. merchant ships, contributing to escalating tensions. After sinking the RMS Lusitania in 1915 and other incidents, there was a temporary halt on this practice due to the international outcry but Germany resumed in February 1917 with the hope of crippling the British before the U.S. could effectively intervene in the war. The cumulative effect of these actions, along with the revelation of the Zimmerman Telegram, pushed the United States closer to entering the war.
Germany's use of submarines, or U-boats, was in response to the British naval blockade that was crippling the German economy. The German high command believed that by cutting off American supplies to the Allies, they could secure a quick victory. Although there were initial promises to restrict submarine warfare, ultimately, Germany's dire situation led them to sink any vessel in the declared war zone, including neutral ships. The idea was that a rapid end to the war could be achieved before the U.S. military buildup could become a factor. This gamble, however, did not pay off as it underestimated the speed and impact of the United States' mobilization once it entered the war.