Lusitania

The British steamship Lusitania is shown here departing from New York on its last trip in 1915. During this voyage a German submarine torpedoed the ship off the Irish coast, causing it to sink in 20 minutes; 1,198 people on board perished. The Germans claimed the ship was carrying arms, a charge Britain and the United States denied. The sinking became pivotal in changing US attitudes towards the war in Europe, and was a major factor in America’s decision to enter World War I.

THE BETTMANN ARCHIVE

Appears in these articles

World War I; Foreign Policy of the United States; Lusitania (vessel); United States of America; Ocean Liner

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