Why did the Germans sink the Lusitania?
Was it running arms to Britain? That’s still a point of argument.
But recognize Britain had a full naval blockade of Germany, which was very effective.
So what was Germany supposed to do? Their only option was to try to stop goods getting to Britain, hence the U-Boats. And because of Britain’s blockade, the end result was that it indeed put US ships at risk.
The Lusitania was NOT an American ship, but it did have quite a few American passengers on board and THAT was the excuse that was used for Wilson to get us into WW I; not about American ships, of any kind, being in harms way. Until then, America was a NEUTRAL country and the Germans even let our Government know that Americans shouldn't travel on that ship, prior to its last voyage.
I don’t believe even the British government disputes that anymore; in 2008 the Daily Mail reported on weapons found on board by divers. German embassy workers carried signs at the pier warning passengers it was carrying weapons into a war zone, and a legitimate military target.
Insurance companies have branches and affiliates around the world, so Germany never had a problem identifying the contents of ships they were sinking.
Americans didn’t seem to mind that Britain forbade us to trade with Germany; WTF is that?
WWI was a hoax on the American people, and part II 20 years later was just a byproduct of that hoax. It was so underhanded two “allies” from part I changed sides and fought for the Axis in part II.