Lusitania Research Paper

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The Lusitania was a British ocean liner in the early twentieth century that often ferried people and goods between the United States and Great Britain. During this time the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific were very dangerous due to World War I. Many people were warned that if they continued to make passage through the oceans they were at risk for being attacked, so they were told to be vigilant and take precautionary measures to ensure their safety. The most frightening of all became true for those aboard the Lusitania, “On May 7, 1915 the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat and sunk, (History.com Staff).” Throughout this paper I will provide you with background on the Lusitania, what took place on May 7 prior to the sinking and the effects the sinking had international and political relations and how it shaped the rest of the war.
The Lusitania was built by the British Government and was designed to be the world’s largest and fastest liner for its time. She was built to surpass all other liners produced by other shipping companies. Her speed enabled her to maneuver swiftly which made many people ignore the growing threats of the Germans U-boats.
April 30, 1915, was the day goods were loaded on-board and the crew started preparing for departure from New York to England. “The Lusitania was at New York, being loaded with meat, medical supplies, copper, cheese, oil and machinery, but she was also secretly being loaded with munitions for Britain for the war, (Kan).” The next day was set for departure and prior to her everyone entering the ship travelers were reminded of the danger they could be in if they decided to voyage across the Atlantic with a notice written by the Germans. This notice stated “Travelers ...

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...lies, it left little chance that Germany was going to come out on top and resulting in the swift end to the war in 1919.
In conclusion, the sinking of the Lusitania was the driving force that ultimately influenced the United States into joining War World I. Not only did it spark aggression amongst the political forces between the United States and Germany but it also sparked a negative public opinion that grew throughout the world. The growing negative public opinion led to Germany’s demise. Leading Germany officials to believe that if they were to have any chance of winning this war they must reenact their campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare which undoubtedly was the leading cause that put American into the fight. Once the United States joined the Allies it crippled the German’s causing the end of World War I just two years after their decision to join.

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