Sinking the Lusitania

5/2/2015 - 5/9/2015

The sinking of the RMS Lusitania proved to be a costly mistake for Germany. Although a British civilian ship, the liner was carrying over 128 Americans who died when the ship was sunk by Germany's U-20. The death toll of nearly 1200 civilians appalled the Allies, prompting Germany to quickly agree to the Sussex Pledge. However, their desperation to continue attacking neutral and civilian ships crossing the Atlantic would eventually lead to the Zimmerman Telegram that would push America to join the Allies.