Lusitania: Murder on the Atlantic

She was the pride of the Cunard line and a jewel in the British crown; a floating four star hotel. But during World War I, the RMS Lusitania carried more than well-to-do travelers luxuriating in her sumptuous appointments. Her cargo of ammunition and firearms made the great liner a target for German U-boats. Lusitania: Murder on the Atlantic would be useful for classes on World History, World Culture, Maritime History, Military History and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• admonitions
• altruism
• amenities
• arrogance
• atrocity
• behemoth
• belligerent
• blatant
• carnage
• clandestine
• complacency
• conceived
• conflagration
• contraband
• coveted
• de rigeur
• debris
• detonated
• dire
• disorientation
• enticed
• frivolous
• humiliate
• idyllic
• immunity
• impending
• implored
• impresario
• impromptu
• innovative
• intrigue
• invincible
• isolationism
• loathe
• lucrative
• macabre
• manifest
• mercenary
• methodical
• munitions
• obscure
• obstinate
• opulence
• pandemonium
• prowess
• reconnaissance
• reiterated
• remonstrate
• retaliation
• scapegoat
• schooner
• solace
• strategist
• surreal
• venerable

1. World War I was the first global conflict of the 20th century, and it was different from the wars that came before it. How was World War I different? What was the role of technology in World War I?

2. How was the method of warfare in World War I a product of the Industrial Revolution?

3. War was once thought of as a “gentlemen’s game.” What does this phrase mean? Why was World War I not a “gentlemen’s game?”

4. The passengers of the Lusitania were warned of possible danger before the ship left port. Why did the passengers ignore these warnings?

5. What is meant by “Nelsonian” sea battles?

6. Compare the story of the Titanic and the story of the Lusitania. How are they different?

7. What was the impetus to design massive luxury liners such as the Lusitania?

8. The Lusitania had a different engine system than other ships. What made the Lusitania’s engines so unique?

9. Discuss the class differences and implications aboard the Lusitania.

10. How was the ship a “floating hotel?”

11. What is a blockade? In what other instances have blockades been used?

12. Although the United States did not enter the war until 1917, it was involved much earlier. Discuss how the United States profited from the war before it entered it.

13. Why did Germany begin to sink Allied ships?

14. What were the “cruiser rules?” Why did these rules change after the first weeks of the war?

15. Why was the Lusitania secretly carrying munitions?

16. Captain Turner repeatedly ignored wireless warnings about German U-boats. Why did he ignore these warnings?

17. Why did Captain Turner ignore the Admiralty’s Directive?

18. Discuss the reactions of the passengers to the sinking ship and their attempts at survival.

19. Why were there so few survivors?

20. How did the British use the sinking of the Lusitania as a propaganda tool?

21. Why are the reasons for the sinking of the Lusitania still being questioned?

1. Design a luxury liner.

2. Imagine that you are a reporter witnessing the sinking of the Lusitania. Write a column for your newspaper that effectively conveys the scene you are witnessing.

3. Create an advertisement or travel brochure encouraging tourists to book passage aboard the Lusitania.

Related Videos