![]() The most prominent example was the sinking of the passenger liner Lusitania, which was carrying ammunition exports, in May 1915 when 128 Americans of nearly 1200 civilians onboard died. Stories of German brutality, particularly the invasion of neutral Belgium, and personal accounts of the German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare began to sway public opinion in the United States against Germany. Public focus primarily remained on domestic issues American sentiments were gradually influenced by unfolding events in Europe. was undergoing tremendous economic, agricultural and industrial growth – and facing major social change. However, most Americans had no desire to enter the war. There were mixed sympathies for both Allied and Central Power efforts as nearly 2/3 of Americans had either direct or immigrant heritage to the people groups drawn into this devastating conflict. This continued the government’s 19 th century policy of isolationism – staying out of the affairs of other countries. When World War I broke out in Europe in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the United States neutral.
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