american ships became targets of attack by 1917 because\namericans refused to take sides in the…

american ships became targets of attack by 1917 because\namericans refused to take sides in the war.\namericans used their ships to spy on the germans.\namericans continued to trade with the warring nations.\namericans insisted on protecting their citizens at sea.

american ships became targets of attack by 1917 because\namericans refused to take sides in the war.\namericans used their ships to spy on the germans.\namericans continued to trade with the warring nations.\namericans insisted on protecting their citizens at sea.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

During World War I, Germany implemented unrestricted submarine warfare. American ships continued to trade with the warring nations (including those supplying the Allies). This made them targets as Germany aimed to disrupt the supply lines. The other options are incorrect: America was not neutral in terms of trade (so "refused to take sides" is wrong), there's no evidence of widespread spying via ships as the main reason, and protecting citizens was a consequence/claim but the core issue was the trading that continued with the warring parties which Germany saw as aiding the Allies.

Answer:

Americans continued to trade with the warring nations.