Final answer:
The Lusitania was a British passenger ship sunk by a German submarine during WWI, almost leading the U.S. to enter the war. The National Defense Act of 1916 expanded the U.S. military and established the ROTC program.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Lusitania was a British passenger ship that was sunk by a German submarine during World War I. On May 7, 1915, the Lusitania was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland, resulting in the deaths of 1,198 passengers, including 128 Americans. This event played a significant role in pushing the United States closer to entering the war.
The U.S. almost got involved in the war due to the sinking of the Lusitania and other German submarine attacks on American ships. However, it wasn't until 1917, when Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare and attempted to recruit Mexico as an ally against the U.S., that the U.S. entered the war.
The National Defense Act of 1916 was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by President Woodrow Wilson. This act expanded the size and scope of the U.S. military, providing funding for the construction of new equipment and the training of additional troops. It also established the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program in colleges and universities.
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