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WW1 - Punch comments on Lusitania sinking
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WW1 - Punch comments on Lusitania sinking
WW1 - An illustration showing Britannia and Lusitania standing together. Britannia personified as Britain, and America as Lusitania. America having remained neutral for the duration of the war, Britannia questions Lusitania actions. Since the sinking of their vessel and their citizens, the personified nation questions whether America will continue to remain neutral, or will they become Britains allies in the war. Date: 1915
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Media ID 14225040
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative illustration from 1915, published in the satirical magazine Punch, captures the tension between Britain and America in the early years of the First World War. The image personifies Britain as Britannia, standing proudly with her trident, helmet, and robes adorned with stars and the Union Jack. America, symbolized by the luxurious ocean liner Lusitania, is shown questioning Britannia with a quizzical expression. The sinking of the Lusitania, a British passenger ship, by a German U-boat in May 1915, had resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, including 128 American citizens. Britannia's concern is palpable as she asks Lusitania if this tragic event will be the catalyst for the United States to abandon its neutral stance and join the war effort. With the stars and stripes of the American flag prominently displayed on Lusitania's hull, the answer to Britannia's question would have significant implications for the outcome of the conflict. This powerful image encapsulates the uncertainty and anticipation of a world on the brink of change.
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