Zimmermann Telegram

The Zimmermann Telegram was a 1917 German diplomatic message proposing an alliance with Mexico if the United States entered World War I against Germany. It promised German support for recovering Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Arthur Zimmermann: Arthur Zimmermann was Germany’s foreign secretary from 1916 to 1917. He authorized the message and publicly confirmed its authenticity.
Unrestricted submarine warfare: Unrestricted submarine warfare is naval warfare in which submarines attack ships without warning. Germany’s resumption of this policy risked bringing the United States into the war.
Woodrow Wilson: Woodrow Wilson was president of the United States from 1913 to 1921. He authorized the telegram’s public release and later asked Congress to declare war.
American entry into World War I: American entry into World War I began with the United States’ declaration of war on Germany in April 1917. The telegram intensified support for intervention after Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare.
German Embassy in Mexico: The German Embassy in Mexico City represented Germany’s government during World War I. The telegram instructed the embassy to approach Mexico with the proposed alliance.
German naval blockade of Britain: Germany’s naval campaign sought to cut Britain’s maritime supply lines during World War I. The alliance proposal aimed to occupy U.S. attention while Germany attacked shipping near Britain.
Nigel de Grey: Nigel de Grey was a British cryptanalyst in the Admiralty’s Room 40. He helped decipher the telegram and briefed British officials on its contents.
United States–Mexico relations: United States–Mexico relations are the diplomatic and political relations between the two neighboring countries. The proposal revived territorial fears but did not produce a Mexican-German alliance.
German diplomatic code 0075: German diplomatic code 0075 was a cipher system used to encrypt wartime communications. Germany transmitted the telegram in this code, which British codebreakers deciphered.
German foreign policy in World War I: German foreign policy in World War I sought military advantage through alliances, diplomacy, and economic warfare. The telegram was one attempt to offset the consequences of Germany’s submarine policy.

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