Industrial Rivalry During World War I

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The long-term cause that contributed to the U.S. involvement consisted of this industrial rivalry between European Great Powers and an arms race between the Great Powers. Submarine warfare arose in February of 1915 when Germany retaliated by declaring a submarine blockade of the British Isles. In May of 1915, a U-boat sank the British liner Lusitania off the Irish coast. Even though the Lusitania was unarmed, it was carrying munitions to the English. The killing of hundreds of defenseless citizens caused an uproar in the U.S. Americans were to avoid traveling on belligerent ships. In addition, two Americans lost their lives in the sinking of a liner, causing Germany to somewhat retreat and promising to not sink passenger ships without warning.