The war crisis between the United States and Germany had been resolved so easily that every country was left dumbfounded. The British, who had placed immense hopes on the United States, were especially disappointed. They had originally been waiting for the conflict between Germany and the United States to intensify further and erupt into war. If that happened, Britain's pressure would be far lighter.
Some within the Royal Navy had even believed that if the Royal Navy joined forces with the American Navy, defeating the German Navy was not entirely impossible. The German Navy's warships were undoubtedly extraordinarily capable; among ships of the same class, the Royal Navy simply could not compare. But if they held a sufficient numerical advantage, they were not entirely without a chance of victory.
But unfortunately, the Americans had ultimately backed down. Faced with the formidable strength displayed by the German Navy, the Americans had grown afraid. Worried about being defeated, they had withdrawn outright. This undoubtedly left Britain in an even worse position.
The Americans had stopped challenging the Prohibited Navigation Zone delineated by Germany, which undoubtedly meant they had tacitly accepted the Germans' actions. If even the Americans had accepted it, did the other nations have any other choice? It was foreseeable that Britain's overseas trade would be cut off as a result. Unless the British were willing to risk enormous losses and use their own merchant ships to keep transporting supplies, Britain would receive not so much as a scrap of materials. The consequences of that were naturally plain for all to see.
Defeating Britain would become very easy for the Germans. They would not even need to do anything—merely keep Britain under siege. When the time came, Britain would collapse on its own.
Prime Minister Asquith had been in an extremely