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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 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.

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 was one of several reasons for Congress to declare war on Germany on April 6, 1917, bringing the U.S. into [[World War I]].<ref>The main reason for war was the actual German attacks on American ships.</ref> 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==