RMS Lusitania

(noun)

RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner, which was torpedoed by a German U-boat U-20 in 1915, killing 1,198 of the 1,959 people aboard, including 128 Americans. The sinking turned public opinion in many countries against Germany, contributed to the American entry into World War I, and became an iconic symbol in military recruiting campaigns of why the war was being fought.

Related Terms

(noun)

A British ocean liner torpedoed by a German U-boat in May 1915, killing 1,198 of the 1,959 people aboard, including 128 Americans. The sinking became an iconic symbol that turned public opinion in many countries against Germany, helping military recruiting campaigns and directly contributing to America’s entry into World War I.

Related Terms

Examples of RMS Lusitania in the following topics:

  • American Neutrality

    • The American public increasingly came to see Germany as the villain after news of atrocities following the invasion of Belgium in 1914 and the 1915 sinking of the British passenger liner RMS Lusitania by a German U-Boat, in defiance of international law.
    • In February 1915, the U.S. warned Germany about misuse of submarines, but on May 7, Germany torpedoed the Lusitania, resulting in the loss of 1,198 civilians, including 128 Americans.
    • This British propaganda poster urging participation in World War I shows the RMS Lusitania sinking in the background.
    • 1915 painting depicting the sinking of the Lusitania by the German U-Boat U-20.

  • Neutral Rights and Submarines

    • On May 7, Germany torpedoed the British passenger liner RMS Lusitania, resulting in the loss of 1,198 civilians, including 128 Americans .
    • 1915 painting depicting the sinking of the Lusitania by the German U-Boat U-20.
    • This British propaganda poster shows the RMS Lusitania in the background.
    • Analyze how the Allied and German blockades, Germany's use of U-boats, and the Lusitania incident interfered with America's stance of neutrality.

  • America's Entry into the War

    • Opinion changed gradually, partly in response to German atrocities in Belgium and the RMS Lusitania, partly as German-Americans lost influence, and partly in response to Wilson's position that America had to play a role to make the world safe for democracy.

  • Moral Imperialism

    • Above all, American attitudes towards Germany focused on the U-boats (submarines) that sank the RMS Lusitania in 1915 and other passenger ships without warning.

  • An Idealist's Diplomacy

    • The U.S. maintained neutrality, despite increasing pressure placed on Wilson after the sinking of the British passenger liner RMS Lusitania with American citizens on board .

  • Initial Reactions

    • On May 7, 1915, a German submarine sank the British liner Lusitania, killing 1,198 people, 128 of them Americans .
    • 1915 painting depicting the sinking of the Lusitania by the German U-Boat U-20.

  • The Debate over Preparedness

    • However, the Preparedness Movement effectively exploited the surge of outrage over the Lusitania in May 1915, forcing the Democrats to promise some improvements to the military and naval forces.
    • After the Lusitania was sunk by German U-boats on May 7, 1915, and Pancho Villa launched his raid against Columbus, New Mexico, Wilson's opposition to the Preparedness Movement changed.

  • A Strained Neutrality

    • When a German U-boat sank the British liner Lusitania in 1915, with 128 Americans aboard, Wilson said, "America is too proud to fight," and demanded an end to attacks on passenger ships.

  • Last Efforts for Peace

    • The Preparedness Movement, however, effectively exploited the outrage over the sinking of the ocean liner Lusitania by German U-boats on May 7, 1915, forcing Democrats to promise some improvements to ground and naval forces.
    • After the Lusitania sinking and Pancho Villa’s raid against Columbus, New Mexico, Wilson's opposition to the Preparedness Movement changed.

  • Populism and Religion

    • President Wilson appointed him Secretary of State in 1913, but Wilson's strong demands on Germany after the Lusitania was torpedoed in 1915 caused Bryan to resign in protest.