Which statement explains why a German submarine sunk the Lusitania?
Contents
The Background
The sinking of the RMS Lusitania on May 7, 1915, was a pivotal event during World War I that marked a turning point in naval warfare and international relations. The Lusitania was a British-owned ocean liner that was on a civilian voyage from New York to Liverpool when it was attacked and sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland.
The Build-Up to the Attack
In the early years of World War I, Germany had been at odds with Britain and was looking for ways to assert its dominance on the seas. Germany had implemented a naval blockade of Britain, attempting to strangle its economy by preventing ships from importing goods. In response, Britain had introduced convoys to protect its shipping lanes, which included deploying battleships and other vessels to escort merchant ships across the Atlantic.
In this context, the German submarine commander, Walther Schwieger, received permission to attack any Allied or neutral ship that he considered a threat to the war effort. Schwieger believed that the Lusitania, a fast and heavily armed ship carrying cargo and passengers, could potentially be used to resupply the British Navy. Additionally, the ship had already been carrying American mail and passengers who could potentially influence public opinion against Germany.
The Attack
On May 1, 1915, Schwieger spotted the Lusitania west of Ireland and misidentified it as a large passenger liner. Not knowing that the ship had stopped at New York to load cargo, he mistakenly believed it was an armored warship. On the afternoon of May 7, Schwieger torpedoed the Lusitania, which was already running low on coal due to a previous incident and had slowed down.
After receiving the first torpedo strike, the Lusitania began to take on water rapidly, and a second torpedo was struck exactly 18 minutes later, sinking the ship. More than 1,500 people lost their lives, including over 1,000 civilians who were not military personnel or spies.
Consequences and Rebuttals
The sinking of the Lusitania was heavily condemned by the international community and had significant consequences for both the war and diplomacy. Germany was accused of making the attack to disrupt communication lines and intimidate Britain’s naval power.
Some sources suggest that the ship had been carrying ammunition, explosives, and mail bags containing confidential information about British military operations, thereby making it a legitimate military target. However, evidence points to the fact that there were no formal diplomatic relations between Germany and Britain, and the sinking was deemed an act of unwarranted aggression.
Germany eventually admitted to sinking the ship, but denied intention to target civilians, insisting that the ship was acting as a warship at the time of the attack.
Primary Reasons for the Sinking
Taking into account the facts outlined above, the following can be seen as primary reasons why the German submarine sunk the Lusitania:
- Misidentification as an enemy ship: The misidentification of the Lusitania as an armed warship led to its targeting.
- Accumulation of hostile cargoes: The Lusitania was carrying suspicious goods, including mail containing classified military information and perhaps, according to some theories, military supplies.
- Wartime tension: Germany was under immense pressure to assert its naval authority during this pivotal point of the war, and Schwieger was authorized to target any ship that threatened its naval superiority.
What We Know Today
From this tragic event, a lesson was learned that it was crucial to verify facts and avoid hasty and drastic decisions. This includes being aware of potential misunderstanding or misinterpretation by foreign powers.
To remember this pivotal moment in World War I, this sinking of the Lusitania led to President Wilson’s call to Germany to stop targeting innocent civilian ships, eventually playing a significant role in pulling the United States into World War I on the side of the Allied forces.
Key Point Highlights
• Misidentification as an enemy ship due to lack of communication.
• Accumulation of suspicious cargo, including ammunition, explosives, and classified documents.
• Wartime tensions and the pressure on Germany to assert its naval dominance.
• Unconcealed and reckless aggressive attack on a neutral liner carrying civilians.
• Lasting impact on global conflict, international relations, and civilian safety.
In summary, a german submarine sank the Lusitania in May 1915, due to Misidentification as an enemy ship and accumulation of hostile cargoes amidst wartime tension, ultimately leading to widespread civilian casualties and far-reaching international consequences.
