The German tactics that ultimately contributed to the involvement of the United States in World War I were primarily centered around the policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. Here’s how each factor you mentioned played a role:
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Unrestricted submarine warfare: Beginning in early 1917, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, which meant that their submarines would target any vessels in the war zone around Britain without warning. This tactic was aimed at cutting off supplies to the Allies, but it also led to the sinking of neutral ships, including American vessels. The most notable incident was the sinking of the RMS Lusitania in 1915, but the resumption of this policy in 1917 was a direct provocation that angered the United States and contributed to its decision to enter the war.
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Sinking of Allied ships: While targeting Allied military vessels was part of the strategy, the broad reach of unrestricted submarine warfare meant that many civilian and neutral ships were also sunk in the process, increasing tensions with the U.S.
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Sinking of ships that carried civilians: The sinking of civilian ships, particularly when American lives were lost, turned public opinion in the U.S. against Germany. The Lusitania, though a British ship, had American passengers on board, and its sinking became a symbol of German aggression.
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Using propaganda in other countries: Germany did attempt to use propaganda to sway public opinion in various countries, but their aggressive military tactics overshadowed these efforts, especially in the face of the atrocities reported from the war.
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Announcing they wanted total war: While Germany's tactics increasingly reflected a total war mentality, which encompassed indiscriminate attacks on enemy resources including civilian targets, this declaration did not directly involve the U.S. as much as the unrestricted submarine warfare did.
In summary, the most significant tactical change that contributed directly to American involvement in WWI was the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917, which threatened not only Allied shipping but also neutral nations, including the United States. This, along with incidents involving civilian casualties and the broader context of German militarism, eventually led to the U.S. declaring war on Germany in April 1917.
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