The Zimmermann Telegram is a document that was captured by British
intelligence and deciphered by
cryptographers in January 1917. It played
a key role in the United States' decision to join the war, and thus
changed the course of history.
Between 1914 and 1917, Europe was divided by what would become known as
World War I. Under President Wilson, the United States
initially remained neutral. Germany was cautious to have the U.S.
involved, and pledged that they would limit submarine
warfare. However, Germany was frustrated over an effective British naval
blockade, causing enormous food shortages. It was believed that massive
submarine attacks would deprive the British from sufficient food supplies
to maintain a war. The Germans knew that unrestricted submarine warfare
would bring the U.S. into the war, but this risk was considered worth
taking, since the U.S. military was not prepared, and the war would be
over before they could build up significant forces.
In January 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 German sides. In order to protect their
intelligence from detection, and to capitalize on growing anti-German
feelings in the U.S., the British waited until 24 February 1917 to
present the telegram to President Wilson. The telegram
was published in American newspapers on March 1, and on April 6, 1917,
the United States declared war on Germany and its allies.
Attached are the decoded and coded telegrams. The coded telegram is
signed Bernstorff because it was transmitted through the United States
and Bernstorff was the German ambassador in Washington.
TELEGRAM RECEIVED
From 2nd from London # 5747.
"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 succeed-
ing, we make Mexico a proposal or alliance on the
following basis: make war together, make peace
together, generous financial support and an under-
standing 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.
German Legation via Galveston
MEXICO CITY
130 13042 13401 8501 115 3528 416 17214 6491 11310
18147 18222 21560 10247 11518 23677 13605 3494 14936
98092 5905 11311 10392 10371 0302 21290 5161 39695
23571 17504 11269 18276 18101 0317 0228 17694 4473
23284 22200 19452 21589 67893 5569 13918 8958 12137
1333 4725 4458 5905 17166 13851 4458 17149 14471 6705
13850 12224 6929 14991 7382 15857 67893 14218 36477
5870 17553 67893 5870 5454 16102 15217 22801 17138
21001 17388 7446 23638 18222 6719 14331 15021 23845
3156 23552 22096 21604 4797 9497 22464 20855 4377
23610 18140 22260 5905 13347 20420 39689 13732 20667
6929 5275 18507 52262 1340 22049 13339 11265 22295
10439 14814 4178 6992 8784 7632 7357 6926 52262 11267
21100 21272 9346 9559 22464 15874 18502 18500 15857
2188 5376 7381 98092 16127 13486 9350 9220 76036 14219
5144 2831 17920 11347 17142 11264 7667 7762 15099 9110
10482 97556 3569 3670
BERNSTORFF
Charge German Embassy.
Coded telegram: Decimal File 862.20212/82A (1910-1929), Decoded
telegram: Decimal File 862.20212/69 (1910-1929), General Records of the
Department of State, Record Group 59.