William Jennings Bryan and His Principles

	Leaders & Statesmen William Jennings Bryan

After Germany sank the Lusitania, American anger grew.

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Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane denounce Germany over the sinking of the Lusitania.

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William Jennings Bryan and His Principles
Bryan's beliefs were put to the test when a German submarine sank the British ship Lusitania in 1915. More than 100 Americans on board were killed. President Wilson wrote a letter that strongly condemned the German attack. Bryan feared that if he signed the letter, it would provoke war with Germany. Rather than sign it, he resigned. Have you ever refused to do something because it went against what you believed in? What were the consequences?

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CREDIT: Clubb, John Scott, artist. "Booty." May 11, 1915. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.
AUDIO CREDIT: Lane, Franklin K., 1864-1921. "The Nation in arms." American Leaders Speak: Recordings from World War I and the 1920 Election, 1918-1920, Library of Congress.