What event during World War I turned American public opinion against Germany?

• A. The sinking of the Lusitania
• B. The attack on Pearl Harbor
• C. The Treaty of Versailles
• D. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

Answer: (A)

The sinking of the Lusitania was a pivotal event that significantly swayed American public opinion against Germany during World War I. On May 7, 1915, a British ocean liner, the Lusitania, was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,198 people, including 128 Americans, and it sparked outrage in the United States.

At this time, many Americans were already sympathetic to the Allied cause, and the loss of American lives on a civilian ship further fueled anti-German sentiment. The German government's practice of unrestricted submarine warfare was seen as a violation of neutral rights, and the sinking of the Lusitania became a rallying point for those advocating for U.S. involvement in the war. This event played a crucial role in shifting public opinion, leading to increased pressure on the U.S. government to respond and ultimately contributing to America entering the war in 1917.

Other events mentioned, like the attack on Pearl Harbor, occurred much later and are associated with World War II, while the Treaty of Versailles was a post-war agreement rather than a cause for changing opinions during the war. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was the immediate catalyst for