Sinking of the Lusitania
The Lusitania was a Passenger ship that was sunk by German torpedoes fired from the U-20 submarine on May 7, 1915 when it was nearing the Irish coastline. Of its 1,924 passengers, 1,119 perished. Of those dead, 114 were Americans. The outcries forced the Germans, for a time, to prior notice being given to passenger ships before being sunk. Although President Wilson protested this tragedy openly, no action was taken. America for the time being was still to remain neutral and avoided involvement in the “European war.”
Wreckage of the Lusitania
Why did the Germans attack a seemingly innocent passenger
ship? It was believed that the Lusitania was carrying military
cargo destined for the war effort. This alone would make the
Germans action a permissible response. To this day, the
debate rages on in some quarters of the world.
ship? It was believed that the Lusitania was carrying military
cargo destined for the war effort. This alone would make the
Germans action a permissible response. To this day, the
debate rages on in some quarters of the world.