key term - Lusitania Incident

Definition

The Lusitania Incident refers to the sinking of the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, during World War I, resulting in the deaths of 1,198 passengers and crew. This tragic event heightened tensions between the United States and Germany and played a crucial role in shaping American public opinion toward entering the war.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Lusitania was torpedoed off the southern coast of Ireland while carrying both passengers and munitions, raising questions about the legality of targeting civilian vessels.
2. Among the dead were 128 Americans, whose deaths sparked outrage and led to calls for the U.S. to enter World War I.
3. The German government initially defended its actions by claiming that the ship was carrying war supplies, while American officials condemned the attack as barbaric.
4. The incident prompted a strong diplomatic response from President Woodrow Wilson, who demanded that Germany cease its unrestricted submarine warfare practices.
5. While the Lusitania Incident did not immediately lead to U.S. entry into the war, it significantly shifted public opinion and government policy toward a more interventionist stance.

Review Questions

• How did the Lusitania Incident impact American public opinion regarding involvement in World War I?
  • The Lusitania Incident had a profound effect on American public opinion by highlighting the dangers posed by German U-boat warfare. With 128 Americans among the casualties, many citizens felt a deep sense of outrage and injustice. This incident shifted sentiments from isolationism toward a growing willingness to support military action against Germany, paving the way for eventual U.S. entry into the conflict.
• What were the consequences of Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare policy, particularly following the sinking of the Lusitania?
  • Germany's policy of unrestricted submarine warfare escalated tensions with neutral nations like the United States after incidents like the Lusitania sinking. The attack prompted strong protests from the U.S. government and fueled anti-German sentiment among Americans. Ultimately, these consequences contributed to a shift in American policy from neutrality towards engagement in World War I.
• Evaluate how the Lusitania Incident and subsequent events influenced U.S. foreign policy during World War I.
  • The Lusitania Incident served as a catalyst for significant changes in U.S. foreign policy during World War I. The outrage over American casualties and subsequent diplomatic tensions pushed President Wilson to adopt a more assertive stance against Germany. Coupled with other factors like the Zimmermann Telegram, these events transformed U.S. foreign policy from strict neutrality to active involvement in the war effort, ultimately leading to American troops joining Allied forces.

Related terms

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare:

A type of naval warfare in which submarines sink vessels without warning, a policy adopted by Germany during World War I that led to increased tensions with neutral nations.

Zimmermann Telegram:

A secret diplomatic communication from Germany to Mexico proposing a military alliance against the United States, which further inflamed American sentiment against Germany.

American Neutrality: The policy adopted by the United States at the beginning of World War I, aiming to remain neutral and uninvolved in the conflict, which shifted significantly following events like the Lusitania Incident.