Discuss the Impact of the Lusitania Sinking Essay Example

with Germany’s decision calling it a violation of neutral rights, and warns Germany they will be held strictly accountable for any lost American lives or property. On May 7, 1915 that warning would be put to the test with the sinking of passenger ship Lusitania. The sinking of the Lusitania results in the loss of 128 American lives. While the desire for neutrality is still strong, an outraged American public and a need to enforce the previous warning of strict accountability; the American government would call for reparations for the victims’ families, and an abandonment of unrestricted submarine warfare.

The sinking of the Lusitania once again opens the eyes of the country to the need for stronger navy and army. This being said the sinking of the Lusitania did not thrust America into war. Instead it unintentionally helped prepare America for war thus paving the way for America to eventually enter into the war two years later, after German submarines sink five American merchant vessels. Without the sinking of the Lusitania it is hard to say if the military expansion needed for America to enter the war would ever take place.