The Zimmermann Telegram
![Picture](/uploads/9/1/6/0/9160629/4768596.jpg?201)
The Zimmermann Telegram decoded.
The Zimmermann Telegram was considered one of the tipping points which brought the United States into World War I. It was sent by Germany to Mexico, which was intercepted by the British, then passed to the Americans.
The telegram was sent as a coded message by German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann on January 16, 1917.
Germany lacked communications to the western countries of North and South America because the British had cut the German telegraph lines. However, Germany went through with the telegraph, using British/American lines, hoping the message would go straight to the German ambassador in Washington, Johann von Bernstorff. A day later, Bernstorff forwarded the telegram to the German ambassador in Mexico, Heinrich von Eckardt.
The original telegram, however, was intercepted by British officials the moment it was sent to the US, and was decoded quickly after using a German code book captured in an earlier conflict in the Gulf of Finland.
The telegram was sent as a coded message by German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann on January 16, 1917.
Germany lacked communications to the western countries of North and South America because the British had cut the German telegraph lines. However, Germany went through with the telegraph, using British/American lines, hoping the message would go straight to the German ambassador in Washington, Johann von Bernstorff. A day later, Bernstorff forwarded the telegram to the German ambassador in Mexico, Heinrich von Eckardt.
The original telegram, however, was intercepted by British officials the moment it was sent to the US, and was decoded quickly after using a German code book captured in an earlier conflict in the Gulf of Finland.
What it said
Germany had tension with the US before the telegram was sent, as the American government, who produced a large number of arms and weapons, had stopped selling to Germany and was supporting Great Britain and France.
The Germans had used restricted submarine warfare, sinking many merchant ships containing American citizens and supplies. Because of these atrocities, the American people claimed the Germans were ruthless and merciless monsters. Though, many believed America should still stay out of the war.
This changed, however, on January 16. The British government had intercepted a telegram going into Washington from Germany, who had used British lines to send it, hoping it couldn't be caught.
Once deciphered, the message read:
"We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you. You will inform the President of the above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President's attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace." Signed, ZIMMERMANN
The Germans had used restricted submarine warfare, sinking many merchant ships containing American citizens and supplies. Because of these atrocities, the American people claimed the Germans were ruthless and merciless monsters. Though, many believed America should still stay out of the war.
This changed, however, on January 16. The British government had intercepted a telegram going into Washington from Germany, who had used British lines to send it, hoping it couldn't be caught.
Once deciphered, the message read:
"We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you. You will inform the President of the above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President's attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace." Signed, ZIMMERMANN
Basically stated, the German government wanted Mexico to go to war with the US, so that it may continue its invasion of France and conquer Great Britain, and in return, Germany would provide arms, money, and help Mexico win back the lost land of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, lost in Mexican-American War nearly 70 years before.
Americans were outraged, and wished to go to war as quickly as possible. Soon after the telegram was introduced to the public, Germany presumed its restricted submarine warfare, and sunk nearly 7 other ships, killing American passengers.
President Woodrow Wilson went to Congress days later, and suggested they go to war. The act passed, and the United States of America was officially at war with Germany.
Americans were outraged, and wished to go to war as quickly as possible. Soon after the telegram was introduced to the public, Germany presumed its restricted submarine warfare, and sunk nearly 7 other ships, killing American passengers.
President Woodrow Wilson went to Congress days later, and suggested they go to war. The act passed, and the United States of America was officially at war with Germany.
Mexican Response
The Mexican President Venustiano Carranza addressed the nations at war, claiming he would not have gone with the request of the German government for the following reasons:
-Any attempts at taking back the lost land of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico would result in war with the US, who was much stronger than Mexico.
-Germany's promise of money, arms and support were hollow, as Mexico was a not allowed to buy arms, as the US was the only large arms manufacturer in the Americas. Germany also would not be able to send supplies, as the US and British Royal Navy controlled the Atlantic waters.
-If Mexico was to retake the land they lost to America, they would not have the strength to handle the large amounts of well armed, English speaking Americans.
- Foreign relations were at stake, mainly in South America, as Mexico cooperated with the ABC Nations, keeping peace between Mexico, the US and other South American nations.
The president denied the German request, by which time the US had already gone to war with Germany.
-Any attempts at taking back the lost land of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico would result in war with the US, who was much stronger than Mexico.
-Germany's promise of money, arms and support were hollow, as Mexico was a not allowed to buy arms, as the US was the only large arms manufacturer in the Americas. Germany also would not be able to send supplies, as the US and British Royal Navy controlled the Atlantic waters.
-If Mexico was to retake the land they lost to America, they would not have the strength to handle the large amounts of well armed, English speaking Americans.
- Foreign relations were at stake, mainly in South America, as Mexico cooperated with the ABC Nations, keeping peace between Mexico, the US and other South American nations.
The president denied the German request, by which time the US had already gone to war with Germany.