Question

the excerpt below is from an order issued in florida during world war ii
you are hereby requested to take the following steps to comply with the recent blackout order . . .
(1) . . . have extinguished all street lights on waterfront streets and highways at once . . .
(2) screen water front side lights on all streets running down to the waterfront . . .
(3) screen all advertising lights and lighted windows near beach front . . .
(4) screen all bright lights on seawards side, directly visible from the sea, and within two miles from the water front . . .
(5) in case of brightly lighted installation near beach have the light so directed and screened so that no direct light can be seen from offshore.
by order of the: palm beach civilian defense council
o.b. carr, executive director

why did the state of florida issue this order?
◯ to limit nonessential social activities during the war
◯ to conserve scarce energy resources during the war
◯ to protect coastal ships from german submarine attacks
◯ to conceal coastal military operations from german spies

Explanation:

During World War II, German submarines (U-boats) targeted Allied ships along the U.S. Atlantic coast, including Florida's waters. Coastal lights would silhouetted ships, making them easy targets for submarines. Blackout orders like this were designed to eliminate visible light from offshore, hiding ships from enemy submarines. The other options do not fit: the order does not limit social activities, energy conservation was not the primary goal here, and it is focused on hiding ships rather than concealing military operations from spies.

Answer:

to protect coastal ships from German submarine attacks