The sinking of RMS Lusitania occurred on May 7, 1915, by the German submarine U-20. This event was a catalyst for the United States entering World War I.
The Lusitania was sailing from New York to Liverpool when it was attacked by a German submarine and sank within 18 minutes. The disaster claimed the lives of 1,198 passengers and crew members, including 128 American citizens, causing a massive uproar in the United States.
The sinking of the Lusitania was not merely a maritime accident. Germany claimed the ship was carrying military supplies. Subsequent research suggests it likely was transporting war materials. This incident shocked the world and swayed American public opinion, eventually leading to the U.S. joining World War I in 1917.
The sinking of the Lusitania was a significant turning point in World War I. It altered the course of the war and marked the beginning of the United States’ increased military and political involvement on the global stage. It also sparked international discussions on wartime maritime safety and the rights of neutral countries. The sinking of RMS Lusitania was a crucial historical event that influenced modern maritime law and wartime regulations.
