A New Dawn
1903 was shaping up to be a bad year of President Roosevelt. The war was going badly and only seemed to be going worse. In the East the Philippines had fallen to Japanese ground troops and the American Pacific fleet was being savaged by joint Anglo-Japanese attacks. Many feared an invasion of Hawaii and rumors of a landing in California were widespread. While the limited attacks in western Canada had born fruit, conquering a vast empty wilderness did little to calm the public, especially after the brutal attacks from the press over the bungling of east Canada. With TR constantly intervening the attacks across the Great Lakes had been a disaster in every way and had damaged what remained of the America military.
To the south, the Bahamas had fallen to British landings, while Venezuela was under the German boots. The German landings had went off smoothly inspiring many in the German High Command to consider more amphibious landings. Many Southern cities had been shelling and the American fleet was either sunk or hiding in port. The American tactic of trying to harass the German-British supply lines had failed due to the sheer number of British escorts and a system of primitive convoying (which the Germans scorned).
Still, some hope remained, although the press and the average person was likely to see otherwise. Due to the loss of west Canada, and the unpopularity of the war back home, by early summer Britain had begun peace talks and were hoping to make a private deal. TR hoped that when Britain pulled out, it would change everything. Still even now progress was made. Massive amounts of government hired 'workingmen' swarmed over war damage in the South, putting out fires, re-running water pipes, rebuilding whole blocks. Roosevelt pushed for these massive apportions of funds through a mostly stunned Congress.
Thousands of troops were hastily trained and sent to the fronts. While the training was poor, their numbers were huge as volunteers from the heady days of the start of the war were finally processed and sent to fight. Massive amounts of troops were sent to patrol the entire Gulf Coast, men that would (in hindsight have been badly needed elsewhere). Many 'armchair' generals commented that the massive home defense forces were responsible for the loss of the Bahamas and the failure of taking east Canada. Still, despite this, many soldiers had been left in Cuba, and more were filtered in through blockade runners and massive convoys. Many American ships were building in ports, and with the vision of the Royal Navy leaving the war on the horizon, many American admirals were ready to regain their honor on the high seas.
In July, the Treaty of Lisbon was signed, which ended the hostilities between America and Britain. The treaty accepted all lands taken by force of arms during the war. So, west Canada changed hands,and the Bahamas. Japan also has involved but their negotiations were dragging on, in regards to the massive numbers of POWs in the Philippines. Still, all fighting had stopped between any Anglo-Japanese forces and American ones. The treaty was celebrated in the streets as American began to focus grimly on Germany.
As soon as the Royal Navy left the seas, the balance of power abruptly changed. With the removal of all the British destroyers and escorts, the German supply lines were left vulnerable. Ships from ports are varied as New York, Norfolk and Puerto Rico began to disgorge American ships. Soon the German High Seas Fleet found itself in trouble. Accustomed to having British help, they found themselves unprepared for the widespread fleet actions. Every attempt by German admirals to have a 'decisive battle' failed as American skippers avoided pitched battles.
The Last Blow
It soon became clear to the Berlin High Command that the war could not be 'won' in the current fashion. With each passing day the American's grew stronger and more numerous. While they were strongly entrenched in Venezuela it was feared that eventually America would land and free it. At sea the High Seas Fleet was suffering from over-work, short supplies, and illness from operating in a unfamiliar tropical environment. As these distressing reports came in, it became clear a change of strategy was needed if Germany wanted to humble America fully and emerge from the war untarnished by Britain bolting. It was in this atmosphere that a new plan was developed.
Mainly constructed by Ludendorff , who had always been a moderate toward the war, the new plan called for a massive blow against the USA. This thinking arose from the idea that if American had a huge setback the populace would end the war. Knowing that anti-war sentiment ran high, German leaders hoped to use democracy against America and use voter dissatisfaction to their advantage. Hoping that a massive victory would cement their 'victory' the Germans began planning for a great battle. Still, their options were limited.
No naval battle would have the scale necessary, and didn't have the same guarantee of victory. As fall went on, American ships grew more daring and rumors of American submarines filled wardrooms and command rooms alike. This fear, combined with a steadily degrading naval arm, led Germany away from a strictly naval approach.
A land invasion was seen as the only option but few places presented themselves. Further action in South America was considered (mainly Columbia) but it contained few American forces and its lack of transportation infrastructure hindered any decisive campaigns. One idea that was considered was a land invasion of the American homeland. This idea never went much farther then wishful thinking. No move would more unite the American people behind the war, and the logistics of any sustained assault were horrifying. With harried supply lines, an increasingly sophisticated enemy, and confused high level planning, any amphibious assault on America was ruled out.
Ludendorff is credited with formulating the plan that was eventually carried out. Sensing that he had no other options, he proposed a massive attack against Cuba. The island was a keystone in American defense. Havana held many American ships, and the island held thousands of American troops. But most crucially Germany held command of the sea around it, therefore controlling any lines of retreat for the Americans. Any victory would be decisive and absolute.
