Public outrage in the US against the Germans swept the nation following the sinking of the British ocean liner, <em>Lusitania,</em> which had happened in May, 1915. When a German U-boat (submarine) sank the <em>Lusitania</em>, over 1,000 persons were killed, including more than 100 Americans. The passenger liner was targeted by the Germans because they suspected weapons were being shipped to Britain in the cargo hold of the ship. After the <em>Sussex, </em>a French passenger ferry, was sunk in 1916, the US demanded and got a promise from Germany to stop their unrestricted submarine attacks. Germany managed to stave off American entry into the war at that time by the Sussex Pledge. But two years, later, beginning February 1, 1917, the Germans resumed such attacks. This poised America to go to war.
They may prefer appointment of judges rather than election to avoid having judges who have biases towards cases & people that they judge upon? (Hopefully that helps a little, I hope it isn't confusing)
"Reconstruction" is actually has a double meaning: in addition to the physical act of rebuilding areas of the South is also refers to federal government intervention in the former Confederate states in order to monitor the treatment of former slaves. This period lasted until 1877.
If the companies don't have to spend money on making the working conditions of their shop safer, that saves them money. It also saves them time (thus, saving money).