The Sinking of the Lusitania

1. The Sinking of the Lusitania

2. Lusitania • British luxury liner • German embassy in the United States warned passengers not to sail to Britain and not to take this ship • Ship was sailing from New York • May 7, 1915 torpedoed and sank off coast of Ireland

3. Sinking of the Lusitania • May 7, 1915 • Lusitania: British ship • U-Boats sank it • 1,198 killed, 128 Americans • Later found it had war supplies on it • American public outraged • NO WAR YET! Wilson sent letters to Germany in protest

5. Arabic and Sussex Pledges A. Wilson sends strong message to Germany • 1. U.S. will sail wherever it wants • 2. neutrality laws • B. Many in U.S. want war • 1. Teddy Roosevelt • C. The Arabic • 1. British ship • 2. sunk by U-Boats • 3. 2 Americans killed • 4. Germany backed down • a. they didn’t want war with us • b. Arabic Pledge--would not sink any ships

6. H. The Zimmerman Note A. wrote by German Arthur Zimmerman B. sent to Mexico 1. wants Mexico to help Germany by attacking the U.S. 2. this would keep us out of Europe 3. In return, Germany would help Mexico gain back Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico C. British intercepted the note D. They relayed the message to Wilson E. Wilson publishes the Zimmerman Note