Zimmermann Note Essay, Research Paper

Zimmermann Note

Before the United States had entered World War I, Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, and the Alliance System were factors of the First World War. France, Great Britain, and Russia were known as the Triple Entente, Allies. Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire were called the Triple Alliance, also known as the Central Powers. The United States had declared it self-neutral, not taking any sides. Later, as the war goes on, the United States had entered the war because of the British Blockade, German U-boats, and the Zimmermann Note, also called the Zimmermann Telegraph. The Zimmermann Note is the actual set off the United States involvement in the First World War.

On January 16, 1917, German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram from the German government to the German Ambassador of Mexico. The Telegram was encrypted, using numerical numbers as its code so other countries would not know of what it says. The telegram, however, was intercepted by British Intelligence. British Intelligence had easily decoded the message.

In the telegram it had stated, “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 or 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.

Though the British had decoded the message before February 1, they did not give it to the United States until February 24. The British did not hand over the telegram to the United States so quickly because it was an effort to protect their intelligence from detection and to capitalize on growing anti-German sentiments in the United States. American press published news of the telegram on March 1. On April 6, 1917, the United States Congress formally declared war on Germany and its allies.

The Zimmermann Note was very significant for the United States. The United States had joined the Allies with 20 other countries. If the note had gone through to Mexico, we would have probably gone to war with Mexico, and not being prepared, would have lost many casualties or even lost the American Territory. The United States would have stayed history out of the war if the British had not told the Americans about the telegram, and the Allies would have lost the war to Germany. Germany would then rule over Europe with its new representative government.