Expectation of a swift victory🏆
A swift victory was essential. Unrestricted submarine warfare and the inevitable sinking of US civillian ships would almost certainly provoke America into declairing war on Germany. Bearing this in mind, Germany needed to force an Allided surrender before America could mobilise its troops and make an impact in the European arena. By the end of the meeting at Pless, the Kaiser was convinced that a swift victory could be achieved, and he signed an order to proceed with unrestricted U-boat warfare, which would take effect on 1 February 1918.
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