The Germans, immediately after sinking the ship, accused Britain of the Lusitania carrying munitions, not just passengers. The government tried to justify the sinking of the Lusitania by saying that the Lusitania contained weapons (“Sinking of RMS Lusitania” para. 2). The Germans must have known that the Lusitania held weapons, years before future historians and scientists would prove their existence true. If not, Germany would have looked at all the positives and negatives of sinking the Lusitania, and would have realized the cons outweighed the pros in this situation.
America, despite its efforts, could not remain neutral and was forced to enter World War 1. Germany did not respect America’s decision to stay neutral and purposely sunk their ships in the British Isles. They sent the Zimmerman Telegram uniting other countries against America. Lastly, they blockaded British ports and prevented American trade with France and GB. Over 100,000 Americans died during WW1, but were rewarded with patriotism, an Allie victory and trade which once again
Courtney LaBeau 3/5/13 DBQ 19: Causes of World War I There where many things that caused World War I. One of the main causes for the start of the war was the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. The introduction of alliances turned fights into wars. Militarism and mobilization between the countries created tension for the war to begin. The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was a huge cause to the start of World War I. Gavrilo Princip a Serb became part of a terrorist group called the Black Hand.
World War I began because of many obstacles that America would have to sustain in order for the war to diminish. On May 7, 1915, the German army sank a ship called the Lusitania. At this time, 1,198 people lost their lives and included 128 American people. This ship was carrying war shipments from the United States to England. The passengers on the ship knew there may be a possible attack on the ship but Woodrow Wilson condemned this attack as illegal and inhuman.
When Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated it set off the July Crisis, which were negotiation meetings to try to prevent war. Austria was outraged that their heir had been assassinated. Germany had promised their support to Austria if an event like this was to happen. Following the July Crisis, Austria delivered the July Ultimatum, which were 10 outrageous demands directed towards Serbia. When Serbia only met 8 of the 10 demands, Austria immediately declared war on Serbia.
Before America entered World War I in April, 1917, they acted as suppliers for Europe. At the time America wanted to remain neutral until Germany became responsible for destroying several United States ships. President Woodrow Wilson warned Germany of retaliation if they continued to sink their vessels. In February, 1915 German announced unrestricted warfare against all ships, neutral or otherwise, that entered the war zones around Britain. Germany continued to violate the United States demands and continued to sink vessels and kill the innocent Americans onboard.
The last straw for the United States in there step to go to war was the sinking of the British passenger ship,Lusitania, by a German submarine in 1915, which resulted in the deaths of 128 Americans. Also Propagandistic imitations of German atrocities in motion pictures added to the want for war. Finally, when it was
The Genocide of the Armenians by the Turkish government during World War I represents a major tragedy of the modern age. In this the first Genocide of the 20th century, almost an entire nation was destroyed. The Armenian people were effectively eliminated from the homeland they had occupied for nearly three thousand years. This annihilation was premeditated and planned to be carried out under the cover of war. During the night of April 23-24, 1915, Armenian political, religious, educational, and intellectual leaders in Istanbul were arrested, deported to the interior, and mercilessly put to death.
However, Germany was not the only country that blockaded US ships. Great Britain also blockaded some US ships, just not to the extent of the Germans. True, the Germans did sink the RMS Lusitania, but that ship not only carried civilians, but also some weaponry. And the declaration of war against Germany came two years later after the sinking of this ship. If America was truly angry about Germany harming innocent civilians, why did not the declaration of war follow the sinking of the Lusitania immediately?
Massie states that Austria believes it’s fractured and disintegrated state will be cured by annihilating the source of all of its problems, Serbia. (Doc K). What caused the war between Serbia and Austria was no accident, it was the Seven Point Ultimatum passed 24 July 1914. The Seven Point Ultimatum was rejected and war outbroke due to the fact that the seven point ultimatum took away the sovereignty of Serbia by calling for the help of Austria’s forces to investigate for the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand within Serbia. The seventh point enraged Serbia and since the ultimatum was rejected Austria declared war on Serbia 28 July 1914, thus, the war began