Summarize the role of German saboteurs within the United States during the First World War, including their methods of operation. Now jump 90 years ahead -- would it be less or more difficult for a saboteur to attack the United States Why/why not Provid - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages The most significant act of sabotage by the Germans against the Americans was the destruction of the Black Tom harbor which destroyed two million pounds worth of munitions.
Black Tom is a mile long pier on a landfill Island that connected with the Jersey City waterfront near Greenville. During the explosion at the pier, the facility at the Black Tom harbor was filled with arms and munitions. It was estimated that the munitions contained hundreds of pounds of TNT explosives, dynamite, shrapnel and black powder totaling to over two million pounds of shipment to Allied powers.
In the early morning of June 30, 1916, fire broke out followed by loud explosions whose shockwaves could be felt up to 90 miles from the Black Tom that lasted for hours and shattered thousands of Manhattan windows.
Documents were also found about the German involvement in the explosion suggesting sabotage but no one was tried guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Only after 17 years of trial by the German-American Mixed Claims Commission that it was found that Germany was indeed responsible for the sabotage and was ordered to pay $50 million dollars as reparation to all victims/claimants. It was only paid in 1979 due to the interruption of another World War II1.
Other attacks by saboteurs were also made at other facilities that contract war materials that will be sent to the Allied powers. The Roebling Roebling Steel foundry in Trenton on January 1, 1915 was set on fire and so was the Canadian Car and Foundry plant in Kingsland which were set ablaze on January 11, 19172.
Of course the attack can still be planned and made today. The most recent attack made on the US soil similar to Black Tom incident only more deadly in magnitude was the 9/11 attack. But for it to become successful would be another question considering the heightened sense of security of the Americans. In addition, sabotage of Black Tom ...Download file to see next pagesRead More