Introduction

Reaction

Karl Goetz

German 1st Issue

British Anti-German Propaganda

German 2nd Issue

British Lusitania Medallion

The sinking of the Lusitania, like the invasion of Belgium, was regarded by the Allies as a crime symbolising the degree of 'frightfulness' Germany was prepared to perpetrate in her pursuit of victory. The event inspired an abundance of anti-German propaganda - tracts, pictures and posters - provoking, if not the decisive turning point in the then neutral USA's attitude to the war, at least a powerful emotional commitment to the Allied cause, placing a damaging strain on US-German relations. Washington's protests resulted in German abandonment of unrestricted submarine warfare in September 1915, although almost two years were to elapse before America entered the war.

It is still difficult to appreciate the strength of feeling the loss of the Lusitania generated amongst those already committed to the fight. The sinking stimulated comment, debate and a great deal of writing. It also inspired a notorious and bizarre commemorative work of art; a privately produced medallion, from the the workshop of an obscure German medallist. Ironically this medallion was to provide British Intelligence with the basis for an impressively successful anti-German propaganda campaign.

The Lusitania's last voyage (Q 48349)