Final answer:
People risked traveling on the Lusitania despite warnings due to disbelief in the threat, a sense of security provided by the ship's reputation, and the then-prevailing norms of warfare that suggested civilians would not be targeted.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many people risked traveling on the Lusitania, even after Germany's warning, due to a variety of reasons. Some passengers may not have fully believed or understood the severity of the threat, while others may have felt a sense of patriotic duty or underestimated the capability of German U-boats. The Lusitania was viewed as a fast and luxurious ship, leading to a false sense of security among its passengers. Furthermore, at the time, there was a general belief in the established norms of warfare, which suggested that civilian passengers would not be targeted. This belief was shattered when the Lusitania, which was indeed carrying munitions, was sunk, causing a significant loss of life and eventually contributing to the shift in American public opinion regarding involvement in World War I.