1. Shift in Balance of Power:
- The United States was a strong industrial power with significant resources and manpower reserves. Its entry into the war tilted the balance of power in favor of the Allied forces. Germany now faced not only France and Britain but also a fresh, well-equipped, and determined American army.
2. Renewed Allied Offensive:
- The arrival of American troops allowed the Allied forces to launch new offensives and break through the German lines on the Western Front. Germany, already stretched thin in terms of resources and manpower, now had to contend with additional pressure from the resurgent Allied forces.
3. Submarine Warfare Strategy:
- In response to the American involvement, Germany intensified its unrestricted submarine warfare, known as the U-boat campaign, in an attempt to cut off supplies and starve Britain into submission. However, this only strengthened the resolve of the Allies and led to increased anti-German sentiments in the United States.
4. Blockade and Economic Strain:
- The British Royal Navy, supported by American assistance, maintained a tight blockade of Germany, restricting essential supplies like food, materials, and oil. This blockade crippled the German economy and caused severe shortages within the country.
5. Decline in Morale:
- As the war dragged on and American forces continued to arrive, German morale declined significantly. The German troops saw the fresh and seemingly endless stream of American soldiers and knew that the odds were stacked against them.
6. Two-Front War:
- American entry into the war added another front to the conflict for Germany. Aside from fighting on the Western Front against the combined might of France, Britain, and the United States, Germany also faced challenges on the Eastern Front against Russia.
7. Diplomatic Isolation:
- American intervention further isolated Germany diplomatically. With their unrestricted submarine warfare and violation of neutral rights, Germany lost valuable support from neutral countries. Even the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary, Germany's allies, started losing confidence in the outcome of the war.
8. Shift in War Aims:
- With the realization that a complete victory was no longer achievable, Germany's war aims shifted towards seeking the best possible negotiated peace and minimizing territorial losses.
9. Peace Negotiation and Germany's Defeat:
- In November 1918, after a series of devastating military defeats and facing immense internal pressure, Germany sought an armistice and agreed to peace negotiations leading to the Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended the war.
American entry into World War I undoubtedly changed the dynamics of the conflict and played a crucial role in Germany's ultimate defeat.