WWI: British blockade of Germany (and neutrals)
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Question 1
How did the British maintain an effective blockade of Germany in WWI?
The British had the largest navy in the world at the time and a lot of experience going back hundreds of years in blockades.
In WWI the British declared the British Channel and North Sea war zones. A similar blockade was maintained in the Adriatic Sea, with French and Italian aid. Neutral shipping were technically permitted to continue trading at their own risk when traversing the war zone. This was a technicality because the British contraband list was extensive and became more extensive as the war continued. The British mined these war zones and required all neutral shipping to dock at British ports. Once in port they would submit to inspection before being escorted through the mine fields less any contraband cargo headed to Germany, Austro Hungary or Ottoman Empire. Most neutral countries caught with contraband would have their ships and cargo confiscated. The United States which was officially neutral early one, complained about this policy and their contraband cargo would be purchased by the British and their ships would be released.
The policy of buying cargos declared contraband at market rates was ruinous.
Not as ruinous as it was for the central powers. The British blockade caused mass starvation, food riots, and in Germany a compulsory work program for men between the ages of 17 and 60. It also sparked the Germans to impose their own blockade through the use of unrestrictive u-boat warfare. This in turn was a major cause for the United States declaring for the allies against the central powers later in the war.
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