m, figured heavily inthe events preceding the war. (Microsoft Encarta, 1996)The attitude of nationalism was also visible in economic conflict. The IndustrialRevolution, which took place in Great Britain at the end of the 18th century, followed inFrance in the early 19th century, and then in Germany after 1870, caused an immenseincrease in the manufactures of each country and a consequent need for foreign markets.The principal field for the European policies of economic expansion was Africa, and onthat continent colonial interests frequently clashed. Several times between Germany onone side and France and Great Britain on the other, almost precipitated a European war.(Microsoft Encarta, 1996)The dispute between the United States and Germany was far more serious. Inorder to prevent food, munitions, and other supplies from reaching Great Britain,Germany in 1915 declared the waters surrounding Great Britain and Ireland a war zonein which German submarines would sink all enemy vessels without the visit or searchordered by international law. To avoid the possibility that uninvolved vessels might besunk by mistake, or that uninvolved might be killed, Germany warned uninvolved shipsnot to enter the zone. They also advised citizens of uninvolved nations not to travel onships of the Allied nations. Germany remained intolerant in the face of U.S. protestsagainst this declaration. In May 1915 a German submarine torpedoed the Britishpassenger liner Lusitania off the Irish coast without warning, causing the deaths of 1198people, of whom 128 were U.S. citizens. The Germans claimed that the Lusitania wascarrying munitions to Britain, and later research has proven this to be true. But theAmerican public was outraged by the sinking, and strong protests by the U.S. StateDepartment brought a promise from Germany not to sink any passenger liners withouttaking precautions to protect the lives of civilians. (Alistair Horne, 1970)In March 1916, however, a Germ...
