War History Summary 9 - World War I 11 The Battle of Jutland and the Naval Blockade

In May 1916, the Battle of Jutland, a large-scale naval engagement between Britain and Germany, took place in the North Sea. Germany deployed its battle fleet to weaken the British naval superiority, and the British navy intercepted them. Both sides fiercely fought using battleships, cruisers, and other large vessels, suffering significant losses in ships and personnel. While Germany incurred fewer tactical losses, the British navy maintained its naval blockade in the North Sea throughout the war. Germany faced difficulties in securing food and raw materials due to the British blockade. In response, Germany intensified its strategy of using submarines to attack merchant ships and supply lines heading to Britain. Unlike land battles, naval warfare also affected civilian merchant ships and neutral vessels, becoming a factor that escalated international conflict. Notably, Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare significantly worsened relations with the United States. The Battle of Jutland demonstrated that World War I was a total war fought not only on land but also at sea, revolving around a nation's industrial and logistical capabilities.