Changes

The Germans were using submarines to patrol the Atlantic in order to intercept British ships.  The German submarine was known as the “U-boat”, and it terrorized everyone.  In 1915, still relatively early in the war, a U-boat sunk a massive British passenger liner known as the Lusitania.  This one sinking killed 1,198 people, including 128 U.S. citizens.  A member of the prominent Vanderbilt family, known for its railroad empire, was among the fatalities.  The overall number of casualties was only a few hundred less than those who died on the Titanic when it hit an iceberg in 1912.

The Germans were using submarines to patrol the Atlantic in order to intercept British ships.  The German submarine was known as the “U-boat”, and it terrorized everyone.  In 1915, still relatively early in the war, a U-boat sunk a massive British passenger liner known as the Lusitania.  This one sinking killed 1,198 people, including 128 U.S. citizens.  A member of the prominent Vanderbilt family, known for its railroad empire, was among the fatalities.  The overall number of casualties was only a few hundred less than those who died on the Titanic when it hit an iceberg in 1912.

Americans were outraged by this German sneak attack on the Lusitania.  But Germans claimed that the ship was carrying ammunition, and historians agree.  Nevertheless, to avoid the loss of civilian life the Germans announced that it would stop attacking passenger liners and other neutral shipping.

Americans were outraged by this German sneak attack on the Lusitania, but still did not support joining the war.  Germans claimed that the ship was carrying ammunition, and historians agree.  Nevertheless, to avoid the loss of civilian life the Germans announced that it would stop attacking passenger liners and other neutral shipping.

By 1917, and after nearly three years of brutal war, the Germans were not so friendly any more.  When the British implemented a naval blockade of Germany, preventing ships from entering or leaving its ports, the Germans announced they would sink any ship entering or leaving Britain.  The U-boats went back into action and quickly sunk three American ships.

By 1917, and after nearly three years of brutal war, the Germans were not so friendly any more.  When the British implemented a naval blockade of Germany, preventing ships from entering or leaving its ports, the Germans announced they would sink any ship entering or leaving Britain.  The U-boats went back into action and quickly sunk three American ships.