The sinking of the USS Lusitania by a German submarine in May 1915 resulted in the death of 128 Americans and generated widespread outrage in the United States. This incident shifted public sentiment against Germany and increased calls for intervention in World War I. While the U.S. maintained neutrality for several more years, the Lusitania incident weakened that stance, contributing to the eventual decision to enter the war in 1917 as tensions escalated further with unrestricted submarine warfare. Ultimately, it symbolized the growing divide between American isolationism and the call for involvement in global conflicts.
The sinking of the Lusitania which killed over a hundred Americans and the Zimmermann Telegram are what sent the US into the war. An obvious sign that they wouldn't stay neutral was the rearming of Fort Warren in Boston Harbor in Massachusetts to protect the city from German submarines.
Before the sinking of the Lusitania in May 1915, Germany practiced unrestricted submarine warfare as part of its naval strategy during World War I. This policy allowed German U-boats to target and sink enemy and neutral ships without warning, aimed at disrupting Allied supply lines. Germany believed this tactic would give them a significant advantage in the war, despite the potential for provoking international outrage, particularly from neutral countries like the United States. The sinking of the Lusitania, which resulted in the deaths of many civilians, intensified this backlash and contributed to shifting public opinion against Germany.
Britain argued for years that the Lusitania didn't carry any contraband. When salvage operations began, they acknowledged that there were some 5000 cases of small ammunition aboard. The wreck hasn't been totally explored but we know that it was a little more than a neutral passenger vessel.
resumed submarine warfare against neutral shipping
The Germans offered nothing to the US for sinking the Lusitania. German government argued that Lusitania was legitimate military target because it was caring a large amount of ammunition on board, and, besides that was registered or listed as an auxiliary cruiser. And in spite of non-military passengers and neutral flags carried by Lusitania, Germans argued that she had to be destroyed, and they took off any responsibility for their action.
The British Lusitania was sunk of Ireland by the German submarines. 128 Americans perished. At the time, America was neutral and had nothing to do with the war. However, to be fair, the Germans had no way of knowing if Americans were aboard.
The sinking of the Lusitania which killed over a hundred Americans and the Zimmermann Telegram are what sent the US into the war. An obvious sign that they wouldn't stay neutral was the rearming of Fort Warren in Boston Harbor in Massachusetts to protect the city from German submarines.
A neutral country is one who is not a belligerent in the conflict. Switzerland was a neutral country during the 2nd World War.
2,439 ships
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2,439 ships
Before the sinking of the Lusitania in May 1915, Germany practiced unrestricted submarine warfare as part of its naval strategy during World War I. This policy allowed German U-boats to target and sink enemy and neutral ships without warning, aimed at disrupting Allied supply lines. Germany believed this tactic would give them a significant advantage in the war, despite the potential for provoking international outrage, particularly from neutral countries like the United States. The sinking of the Lusitania, which resulted in the deaths of many civilians, intensified this backlash and contributed to shifting public opinion against Germany.
They were upset at the sinking of the Lusitania by a German U-boat
The German march across neutral Austria was a factor in drawing England into the Great War.
A neutral Power is not called upon to prevent the export or transport, on behalf of one or other of the belligerents, of arms, munitions of war, or, in general, of anything which can be of use to an army or a fleet.
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Britain argued for years that the Lusitania didn't carry any contraband. When salvage operations began, they acknowledged that there were some 5000 cases of small ammunition aboard. The wreck hasn't been totally explored but we know that it was a little more than a neutral passenger vessel.