World One War: Mexico & The Zimmermann Telegram

At the beginning of 1917, a scandalous diplomatic incident rocked an already war weary world.  The ‘Zimmermann Telegram’ was an attempt by Germany to encourage Mexico to go to war against the United States.

The message itself was sent and received as a coded telegram which was dispatched by the German Foreign Secretary, Arthur Zimmermann, on January 16^th 1917.  The telegram was first received by Johann von Bernstorff, the German ambassador in Washington D.C., who then forwarded the message onto the German Ambassador in Mexico, Heinrich von Eckardt.

Germany sent the telegram in anticipation of the continuation of unrestricted submarine warfare which was to be resumed on February 1^st.  An act of which the German Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, feared would bring the United States into the war.

Eckardt’s mission was simple, if it was likely the Americans would enter the war; he was to approach the Mexican Government with a proposal for a military alliance.  The deal was simple; Germany would offer Mexico material aid in the reclamation of territory lost during the Mexican-American War for Mexico’s actions in keeping the United States tied up and away from Europe.  Eckardt was also instructed by Zimmermann to forge an alliance between Germany and the Japanese Empire.

It had long been established that Germany was pursuing various interests in Mexico from the turn of the century.  Starting later than other imperial powers, the Kaisers Germany attempted to forge strong lasting links in a short period of years.  Germany’s approaches varied due to the volatile and unstable politics of the Mexican Revolution whilst placating the United States of Germanys peaceful intentions.  Whilst courting both the United States and Mexico, during Zimmermann’s office, Germany not only offered to improve relations between the United States and Mexico but suggested that Mexico purchase submarines for its Navy…

Following America’s punitive expedition to capture Pancho Villa, Germany believed that this was a clear example of Mexico attempting to tie up The United States.  Zimmermann’s ultimate aim was to propose an alliance between Mexico and Germany whilst Germany tried to maintain a position of neutrality with the United States.

The Mexican president at that time, Venustiano Carranza, assessed the feasibility of such a position.  Carranza concluded that it was not a safe position for Mexico to be in as pro-German action would mean certain war with America, the ‘aid’ sent by Germany was useless as the Atlantic was controlled by the Royal Navy and Mexico would not be able to pacify the English-speaking population of South-Western America.

In the end, Carranza declined Zimmermann’s proposals on the 14^th April, which incidentally was after the U.S. had declared war on the central powers.

The telegram was in fact intercepted as soon as it had been sent.  The code breakers in Room 40 at the Admiralty in London received a copy and were able to decrypt some of the message as the German Foreign Office used cipher 0075, a code Room 40 had managed to partially decode.

The British government, knowing they had a priceless opportunity, wished to use the telegram to draw America into the war.  In particular, anti-German activities were increasing in the U.S. due to the Germans re-establishment of unrestricted warfare.

Knowing they had to tread a fine line, the British had two problems.  The first problem was how to explain to America that London was monitoring neutral diplomatic traffic, and secondly, how to publically explain the incident without revealing to the Germans that their secret codes had been broken.

The effect of the telegram, when finally revealed to the Americans was just what the allies wanted and needed.  Popular feeling in the United States at the time was both anti-Mexican and anti-German.  The failure of General John J. Pershing to capture Pancho Villa merely fuelled the anti-alien feeling.

The general feeling of most Americans was a wish to avoid the ‘Europeans War’.  The telegram was first believed to be a forgery created by British Intelligence.  This belief was fuelled by German and Mexican diplomatic staff.  The speculation was quelled when on the 29^th March 1917, Zimmermann confessed as saying “I cannot deny it.  It is true”

To add salt to the wound, the Germans resumed unrestricted submarine warfare from the 1^st February and made mention of this act in the telegram.

In conclusion, the Zimmermann Telegram had the reverse effect from its original intention.  Failing to ally Mexico with Germany, the telegram, when revealed, fuelled anti-German and anti-Mexican sentiment.  The resumption of submarine warfare was merely one of the final nails in Germany’s coffin attempt to either divert The United States or keep the United States neutral and out of World War One.

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