Question

Why was it a controversial decision that Woodrow Wilson did not declare war after the sinking of the Lusitania?

Answer 1

Answer:

It was controversial because a lot of people who were on Lusitania were American citizens. Of course, many people believed that United States had to react on this by proclaiming war on Germany, a country that destroyed the boat. Still, Wilson and Congress believed that the time to wage war has not yet come.

Explanation:

When Germans sunk Lusitania, 128 American citizens died. It made American public furious. Still, president Wilson believed that America should stay out of conflict at least for the time to come. This was quite controversial as public believed that he closed his eyes to the killing of American civilians.