Nearly two years would pass before the United States formally entered World War I, but the sinking of the Lusitania played a significant role in turning public opinion against Germany, both in the United States and abroad. read more
The United States was originally hesitant to enter WWI, but after the Germans sank the Lusitania (resulting in the deaths of 128 American citizens) and British intelligence claimed to intercept the Zimmerman Note (in which Germany promised to help Mexico reclaim lands previously lost to the US), popular opinion in the US moved towards entering the war. read more
After the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, the loss of American citizens swayed opinion in the US in favor of joining World War I. After the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, the loss of American citizens swayed opinion in the US in favor of joining World War I. read more