The Sinking of the Lusitania: What Happened and Why

On May 7, 1915, the Lusitania, an ocean liner belonging to the Cunard Line, was sunk by a German U-boat. The sinking resulted in the deaths of 1,198 people, including 128 Americans. The event was a major factor in the United States’ decision to enter World War I.

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Introduction

On May 7, 1915, the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat. The ship sank in just 18 minutes, killing 1,198 passengers and crew members. Among the dead were 128 Americans.

The sinking of the Lusitania outraged American public opinion and helped lead the United States into World War I. However, the sinking was also a propaganda victory for the Germans, who used it to justify their unrestricted submarine warfare campaign against Allied shipping.

So what exactly happened when the Lusitania was sunk? And why did it happen? Read on to find out.

What Happened

On May 7, 1915, the Lusitania, a British ocean liner, was sunk by a German U-boat. The Lusitania was carrying more than 1,900 passengers and crew, and over 1,200 people died in the attack. The sinking of the Lusitania caused a public outcry and helped turn public opinion against the German Empire.

The Lusitania is Sunk

On May 7, 1915, the British ocean liner Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat, killing 1,198 people. The sinking turned public opinion against Germany and was a major factor in the United States’ entry into World War I.

At the time of the sinking, the Lusitania was carrying more than 1,900 passengers and crew members. Of those people, 1,198 were killed, including 128 Americans. More than 600 others were injured.

The disaster outraged Americans and turned public opinion against Germany. The United States had been neutral up to that point, but the sinking of the Lusitania made it harder for the country to stay out of the war.

The United States eventually did enter World War I in 1917. One of the main reasons for this was the Zimmerman telegram, in which Germany tried to encourage Mexico to attack America. But the sinking of the Lusitania was also a significant factor in America’s decision to go to war.

The Aftermath

While the Lusitania sinking was a tragedy, it ultimately had little effect on the war. In fact, Germany didn’t even apologize for the attack, instead justificationg it by claiming the Lusitania was carrying munitions.

The United States did eventually enter the war, but not because of the Lusitania sinking. Instead, it was due to other factors such as Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare and their attempts to get Mexico to join their side.

Even though the sinking of the Lusitania didn’t have a major impact on the war, it did change public opinion in the United States and other countries. People were outraged that civilians, including women and children, had been killed. This helped turn public opinion against Germany and helped rally support for the Allies.

Why it Happened

On the morning of May 7, 1915, the ocean liner Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat just off the coast of Ireland. The sinking of the Lusitania was a turning point in World War I, and it happened for a variety of reasons. In this article, we’ll explore what led to the sinking of the Lusitania and how it changed the course of the war.

The Lusitania was a Target

On May 7, 1915, the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat. Of the nearly 2,000 people on board, more than 1,000 were killed, including 128 Americans. The sinking of the Lusitania was a turning point in public opinion about World War I and America’s involvement in the conflict.

The Lusitania had been at war with Germany for less than three months when it was sunk. The British ocean liner had been sailing from New York to Liverpool, England, carrying nearly 2,000 passengers and crew. Among those aboard were 128 Americans.

The Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915. Of the nearly 2,000 people on board, more than 1,000 were killed—128 of them Americans.

The United States had been neutral up to this point, but the sinking of the Lusitania—and Germany’s subsequent refusal to stop attacking American ships—turned public opinion against the Central Powers. In 1917, the United States declared war on Germany and entered World War I.

America’s Involvement

The sinking of the Lusitania was a turning point in American public opinion about WWI. For the first time, Americans were forced to confront the realities of the war and the high cost in human lives.

The Lusitania was a British ocean liner that was sunk by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915. The ship was carrying civilians, including Americans, from New York to Liverpool, England. Of the 1,959 people on board, 1,198 were killed, including 128 Americans.

The sinking of the Lusitania outraged American opinion and helped turn public opinion against Germany. In 1917, the United States would enter WWI on the side of Britain and France.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the sinking of the Lusitania was a tragedy for all involved. While there were many factors that contributed to the disaster, the ultimate responsibility lies with the German government and military. The Lusitania was a civilian vessel, and the targeting of civilians is a clear violation of international law. In addition, the use of unrestricted submarine warfare was also a major factor in the sinking. The Germans knew that this would lead to innocent casualties, yet they persisted in using this tactic. As a result, over 1,200 people lost their lives, including 128 Americans.

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