3 February 1917 The U.S. severs diplomatic relations with Germany after the sinking of the American steamship Housatonic. In the next two months the Germans sink over 500 ships in the Atlantic, including 6 American ships, two in February and 4 in March. Their plan is to starve the British and get them to sue for peace within 6 months, leaving the Germans free to just fight the French.
Ambassador von Bernstorff is called to the State Department late in the afternoon on 3 February and Secretary of State Lansing hands him back his passport and orders the embassy closed and all the staff expelled. Within 2 days von Bernstorff takes ship back to Germany, continuing to defend his efforts at peace. The U.S. and Germany edge closer and closer to war.
