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[[Image:Zimmermanntelegram.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The Zimmermann Telegram]]

[[Image:Zimmermanntelegram.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The Zimmermann Telegram]]

The '''Zimmermann Telegram''' was a telegram sent from [[German]] For­eign Minister [[Arthur Zimmermann]] to the German ambassador to [[Mexico]] on January 19th, 1917; the telegram would outrage American citizens when its contents were made public by President [[Woodrow Wilson]] on March 1, 1917, and influenced the American decision to declare war on [[Germany]] in [[World War I]].

The '''Zimmermann Telegram''' was a proposal by Germany to Mexico in January 1917 to join [[Germany]] in a war against the United States. The telegram was intercepted by British spies and given to the press by President [[Woodrow Wilson]]. American public opinion was outraged--this was seen as a "casus bellum" (cause for war) and led Congress to declare war on Germany on April 6, 1917, bringing the U.S. into [[World War I]].  Relations between the U.S. and Mexico were very bad and there was a risk of war between the two.  The telegram was sent by German For­eign Minister [[Arthur Zimmermann]] to the German ambassador to Mexico on January 19th, 1917, who carried the proposal to the Mexican government.  Mexico realized the proposal would make it a satellite of Germany and would lead to quick defeat by the vastly more powerful U.S., so it wisely ignored the message and remained neutral in the World War.  The Zimmermann Telegram (spelled with two n's) is considered one of the worst blunders in diplomatic history.

==Prelude==

==Prelude==

Between 1914 and the spring of 1917, the European nations engaged in a conflict that became known as World War I. While armies battled in Europe, the United States remained neutral. In 1916 Woodrow Wilson was elected President for a second term, largely because of the slogan "He kept us out of war." Events in early 1917 would change that hope.

Between 1914 and the spring of 1917, the European nations engaged in a Great War (now called "World War I"). While armies battled in Europe, the United States remained neutral. In 1916 Woodrow Wilson was elected President for a second term, largely because of the slogan "He kept us out of war." Events in early 1917 would change that hope.

Germany’s resumption of submarine attacks on passenger and merchant [[ship]]s in 1917 led to the sinking of an unarmed French boat, the ''Sussex'', in the English Channel in March 1916, and Wilson had threatened to sever diplomatic relations with Germany unless the German Government refrained from attacking all passenger ships, and allowed the crews of enemy merchant vessels to escape from their ships prior to any attack. On May 4, 1916, the German Government had accepted these terms and conditions in what came to be known as the “Sussex pledge.”

Germany’s use of submarines to attack British and French passenger ships and freighters led to the sinking of an unarmed French boat, the ''Sussex'', in March 1916. Wilson threatened to sever diplomatic relations with Germany unless the German Government refrained from attacking all passenger ships, and allowed the crews of enemy merchant vessels to escape into lifeboats. On May 4, 1916, the German Government accepted these terms and conditions in what came to be known as the “Sussex pledge.”

By January 1917, however, the situation in Germany had changed. During a wartime conference that month, representatives from the German navy convinced the military leadership and Kaiser Wilhelm II that a resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare could help defeat Great Britain within five months. German policymakers argued that they could violate the “Sussex pledge,” because the United States could no longer be considered a neutral party after supplying munitions and financial assistance to the Allies. Germany also believed that the United States had jeopardized its neutrality by acquiescing to the Allied blockade of Germany.

By January 1917, however, the situation in Germany had changed. There seemed a very good chance to win the war. American entry was discounted because the US was already shipping supplies to Britain and France, and the U.S. had a very small army. The German navy convinced the German army and [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]] that a resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare could help defeat Britain within five months. German policymakers argued that they could violate the “Sussex pledge,” because the United States could no longer be considered a neutral party after supplying munitions and financial assistance to the Allies. The war would be won before American forces could make much difference.

Germany’s Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, protested this decision, as he believed that resuming submarine warfare would draw the United States into the war on behalf of the Allies. This, he argued, would lead to the defeat of Germany. Despite these warnings, the German Government decided to resume unrestricted submarine attacks on all Allied and neutral shipping within prescribed war zones, reckoning that German submarines would end the war long before the first American troopship arrived in Europe. Accordingly, on January 31, 1917, the German Ambassador to the United States, Count Johann von Bernstorff, presented U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing with a note declaring Germany’s intention to restart unrestricted submarine warfare the following day.

Germany’s civilian Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, protested this decision, as he believed that resuming submarine warfare would draw the United States into the war. This, he argued, would lead to the defeat of Germany. However the civilians did not control decision making.  The military made the decisions and controlled the Kaiser's thinking. The Kaiser decided to resume unrestricted submarine attacks on all Allied and neutral shipping within prescribed war zones, reckoning that German submarines would end the war long before the first American troopship arrived in Europe. Accordingly, on January 31, 1917, the German Ambassador to the United States, Count Johann von Bernstorff, presented U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing with a note declaring Germany’s intention to restart unrestricted submarine warfare the following day.

Stunned by the news, President Wilson went before Congress on February 3 to announce that he had severed diplomatic relations with Germany. However, he refrained from asking for a declaration of war because he doubted that the American public would support him unless there was ample proof that Germany intended to attack U.S. ships with no warning. Wilson left open the possibility of negotiating with Germany if its submarines refrained from attacking American shipping. Nevertheless, throughout February and March 1917, German submarines targeted and sunk several American ships, and many American passengers and seamen died.

Stunned by the news, President Wilson went before Congress on February 3 to announce that he had severed diplomatic relations with Germany. However, he refrained from asking for a declaration of war because he doubted that the American public would support him unless American ships actually were sunk. That soon happened as throughout February and March 1917, German submarines targeted and sunk several unarmed American civilian merchant ships, and some American passengers and seamen died.

On February 26, Wilson asked Congress for authority to arm American merchant ships with U.S. naval personnel and equipment. While the measure would probably have passed in a vote, several anti-war Senators led a successful filibuster that consumed the remainder of the Congressional session. Despite the rebuff from Congress, Wilson decided to arm American merchant ships by executive order, claiming that an old anti-piracy law gave him the authority to do so.

On February 26, Wilson asked Congress for authority to arm American merchant ships with U.S. naval personnel and guns. Public opinion strongly supported the measure, but several anti-war senators led a successful filibuster that consumed the remainder of the Congressional session. The bill never passed. Regardless, Wilson decided to arm American merchant ships by executive order, claiming that an old anti-piracy law gave him the authority to do so.

==The telegram==

==The telegram==

[[Image:NYT1Mar1917.jpg|200px|right|thumb|The revealing of the Zimmermann telegram in the ''New York TImes'', March 1, 1917]]

[[Image:NYT1Mar1917.jpg|200px|right|thumb|The revealing of the Zimmermann telegram in the ''New York Times'', March 1, 1917]]

In January of 1917, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause:

In January of 1917, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause:

To protect their intelligence from detection and to capitalize on growing anti-German sentiment in the United States, the British waited to present the telegram to President Wilson. Meanwhile, frustration over the effective British naval blockade caused Germany to break its pledge to limit submarine warfare. In response, the United States severed diplomatic relations with Germany in February.

To protect their intelligence from detection and to capitalize on growing anti-German sentiment in the United States, the British waited to present the telegram to President Wilson. Meanwhile, frustration over the effective British naval blockade caused Germany to break its pledge to limit submarine warfare. In response, the United States severed diplomatic relations with Germany in February.

The British had initially not shared the news of the Zimmerman Telegram with U.S. officials, because they did not want the Germans to discover that British code breakers had cracked the German code. However, following Germany’s resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare in February, the British decided to use the note to help sway American official and public opinion to join the war. The British finally forwarded the intercept to Wilson on February 24. The American press carried the story the following week.

The British had initially not shared the news of the Zimmermann Telegram with U.S. officials, because they did not want the Germans to discover that British code breakers had cracked the German code. However, following Germany’s resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare in February, the British decided to use the note to help sway American official and public opinion to join the war. The British finally forwarded the intercept to Wilson on February 24. The American press carried the story the following week.

Despite the shocking news of the Zimmerman Telegram, Wilson still hesitated to ask for a declaration of war. He waited until March 20 before convening a Cabinet meeting to broach the matter--almost a month after he had first seen the telegram. The precise reasons for Wilson’s decision to choose war in 1917 remain the subject of debate among historians, especially in light of his efforts to avoid war in 1915 after the sinking of the British passenger liners Lusitania and Arabic, which had led to the deaths of 131 Americans.

Despite the shocking news of the Zimmermann Telegram, Wilson still hesitated to ask for a declaration of war. He waited until March 20 before convening a Cabinet meeting to broach the matter--almost a month after he had first seen the telegram. The precise reasons for Wilson’s decision to choose war in 1917 remain the subject of debate among historians, especially in light of his efforts to avoid war in 1915 after the sinking of the British passenger liners Lusitania and Arabic, which had led to the deaths of 131 Americans.

However, by 1917, the continued submarine attacks on American merchant and passenger ships, and the “Zimmerman Telegram’s” implied threat of a German attack on the United States, had served to sway American public opinion in support of a declaration of war. Furthermore, international law stipulated that the placing of U.S. naval personnel on civilian ships to protect them from German submarines already constituted an act of war against Germany. Finally, the Germans, by their actions, had demonstrated that they had no interest in seeking an end to the conflict (this included Zimmermann's own statement on March 29 confirming he sent it <ref>[http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/zimmermann_speech.htm]</ref>). These reasons all contributed to President Wilson’s decision to ask Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. They also encouraged Congress to grant Wilson’s request and formally declare war on Germany.

However, by 1917, the continued submarine attacks on American merchant and passenger ships, and the “Zimmermann Telegram’s” implied threat of a German attack on the United States, had served to sway American public opinion in support of a declaration of war. Furthermore, international law stipulated that the placing of U.S. naval personnel on civilian ships to protect them from German submarines already constituted an act of war against Germany. Finally, the Germans, by their actions, had demonstrated that they had no interest in seeking an end to the conflict (this included Zimmermann's own statement on March 29 confirming he sent it <ref> See [http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/zimmermann_speech.htm Zimmermann speech]</ref>). These reasons all contributed to President Wilson’s decision to ask Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. They also encouraged Congress to grant Wilson’s request and formally declare war on Germany.

==External Links==

*[http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/zimmermann.htm Firstworldwar.com]

* Link, Arthur S. ''Wilson: Campaigns for Progressivism and Peace: 1916-1917'' (1965), the standard biography  [http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=acls;idno=heb01547.0005.001;rgn=full%20text;view=toc;cc=acls online at ACLS e-books]

* Tuchman, Barbara W. ''The Zimmerman Telegram'' (1985) [http://www.amazon.com/Zimmermann-Telegram-Barbara-W-Tuchman/dp/0345324250/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194646014&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]

 

* [http://intellit.muskingum.edu/worldwari_folder/wwizimmermann.html annotated bibliography]

*[http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=60 ourdocuments.gov]

*[http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=60 ourdocuments.gov]

*[http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/zimmermann/ The National Archive]

*[http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/zimmermann/ The National Archive]

*"ZIMMERMANN DEFENDS ACT; Says Overtures to Mexico Were Justified as a Measure of Defense. CITES COUNTER-INTRIGUES Quotes "Revelations" by an Argentine Paper of a Pan-American Plot Against Germany. PRESS BACKS HIM UP Overseas News Agency Accuses Us of Treachery in Gaining Possession of Plot Evidence," ''New York Times'', Mar 4, 1917

*"ZIMMERMANN DEFENDS ACT; Says Overtures to Mexico Were Justified as a Measure of Defense. CITES COUNTER-INTRIGUES Quotes "Revelations" by an Argentine Paper of a Pan-American Plot Against Germany. PRESS BACKS HIM UP Overseas News Agency Accuses Us of Treachery in Gaining Possession of Plot Evidence," ''New York Times'', Mar 4, 1917

==References==

====Notes====

<references/>

 

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!style="background-color: #000088; color:white;"|License:

|style=" background-color: none;"| <small>This work is in the [[Public Domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code</small>

[[category:World War I]]

[[category:World War I]]

[[category:United States History]]

[[category:United States History]]