Fueling Even Greater Anger
The Lusitania sunk within 20 minutes, just like that. And such a disaster immediately strained relations between Germany and then-neutral America, only fueling anti-German reactions and setting off a chain of events that led to the United States entering World War I. Essentially, it was the callous killing of civilians that outraged both sides of the Atlantic.
The Lusitania. Photo by Historia / Shutterstock
As word spread about Lusi’s tragic fate, so did the rage. Americans were saddened and stunned, but that didn’t mean they were necessarily ready to rush into a war. President Woodrow Wilson wanted to tread lightly and with caution and remain neutral. Former President Theodore Roosevelt was demanding swift retaliation. Across the pond, Winston Churchill was shocked to see how long it took.