Download Yeam WW1 Lusitania Sinking The Cunard ocean liner Lusitania was

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WW1
Lusitania Sinking
The Cunard ocean liner
Lusitania was sunk by a
German submarine off the
coast of Old Head of Kinsale,
Ireland on May 7, 1915. The
ship sank in just 18 minutes,
and 1,198 of the 1,959
passengers and crew aboard
perished.
In 1914, Germany declared
war on Russia and France, and
Great Britain declared war on
Germany. The Allies had great
advantage in the war with
Russia's vast manpower and
the all-powerful British Royal
Navy. Neither side, however, could manage to win, and the casualties on all sides were
enormous. As the bloodbath continued, Italy joined the Allies, and Turkey joined Germany and
Austria. The United States remained neutral at first but became an important supplier of food,
credit, and weapons to France and Britain, who controlled the sea.
In 1915, Germany began to use its submarines to cut off English supplies. On the day of the
Lusitania's sailing, the Germans published an advertisement in a U.S. newspaper warning U.S.
travelers that they traveled on Allied ships at their own risk. The warning has led many to believe
that the sinking was premeditated. On May 7, a German U-boat torpedoed the Lusitania, which
unbeknownst to the passengers and most of the crew, was carrying tons of ammunition. The
torpedo hit the ship near the ammunition cargo, which likely exploded and contributed to the
ship's quick sinking, although that has never been proven.
Some 1,198 passengers and crew died in the sinking, including 128 U.S. citizens. The tragic act
of war infuriated the United States, who months earlier had warned Germany to observe U.S.
rights on the seas. President Woodrow Wilson resisted popular agitation for war and repeatedly
demanded that Germany make reparations and disavow the sinking. Germany eventually agreed
to reparations and promised not to sink any more ocean liners without warning. Germany was
steadfast in its refusal to disavow the sinking, however, and the United States formally entered
World War I in 1917.
Years after the sinking of the Lusitania, the German submarine's log was published. The log
revealed that the submarine was not on a mission to attack the Lusitania but that it had stumbled
on it by chance and was in fear of being rammed. The Lusitania captain's failure to follow
British maritime rules, including keeping close to shore and following a zig-zag course, has
never been adequately explained.
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WW1
Zimmerman Note 1917
On January 16, 1917, German foreign minister Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to the
German minister to Mexico stating Germany's intention to reinitiate unlimited submarine
warfare on the world's oceans in an attempt to bring World War I to a close. Such a policy was
sure to infuriate the United States, which had maintained its neutrality in the conflict up until
this point. Zimmermann also directed the minister to forge a German-Mexican alliance in case
the United States entered the war on the side of the Allies. British intelligence decoded the
telegram and handed its contents over to the U.S. State Department, which in turn announced it
to the American press on March 1, 1917. U.S. outrage over Germany's dealings with Mexico
served to heighten the calls for American entry into the war, which were answered when the
United States declared war on Germany on April 6.
On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is
our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America.
If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That
we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support,
and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and
Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement. . . .
You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as
soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that
the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting
adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan.
Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine
warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months.
Zimmermann
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WW1
Alabama's Washington County News headline from March 8, 1917 screamed "German Plot
Against U.S. Is Revealed," referring to the controversy over a German attempt to enlist the aid of
Mexico against the United States during World War I.
"Lusitania sinking." World History: The Modern Era. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 14 Mar. 2009
<http://www.worldhistory.abc-clio.com>.
"Zimmermann Note (1917)." World History: The Modern Era. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 14 Mar. 2009
<http://www.worldhistory.abc-clio.com>.