what was the importance of the sinking of the lusitania
Sinking of the RMS Lusitania The sinking of the Cunard ocean liner RMS Lusitania occurred on Friday, 7 May 1915 during the First World War, as Germany waged submarine warfare against the United Kingdom which had implemented a naval blockade of Germany. The ship was identified and torpedoed by the German U-boat U-20 and sank in 18 minutes.[1] The vessel went down 11 miles (18 km) off the Old Head of Kinsale,[2]:429 Ireland, killing 1,198 and leaving 761 survivors.[1] The sinking turned public opinion in many countries against Germany, contributed to the American entry into World War I and became an iconic symbol in military recruiting campaigns of why the war was being fought.[2]:497–503