Zimmerman+Telegram-Impact

__**Impact**__

The major impact of the interception of the Zimmerman Telegram was that it re-inforced already strong anti-German sentiments and was very influential in the United States decision to declare war on Germany and join World War I. When the telegram was publicized in the American press on March 1, 1917 the public was outraged, Woodrow Wilson had tried to stay neutral throughout the war but this telegram really pushed the Americans to the Allies side.

Mexican Response: Mexican President Venustiano Caranza assigned a special general to assess if taking territories back from the US was even plausible. The general decided that it was not possible or desirable to try and regain these territories because: - it would lead to war with the US - Germany's financial aid would be useless because Mexico could not use it to acquire arms or ammunition since the US was the only major arms manufacturer in the Americas, and Germany could not send arms either since the Royal Navy controlled the Atlantic Ocean. -it would strain relations with the ABC nations (Argentina, Brazil, and Chile). Relations with them were improved because Mexico had cooperated with them to avoid war with the US Carranza ended up declining Germany's invitation.

Effect in the US: It was believed to be a forgery at first. This idea was advocated by pacifists, pro-German lobbies, German and Mexican diplomats, and American papers. However, Zimmerman ended up admitting that the telegram was in fact genuine. In the US there was already a large amount of anti-German sentiment due to the submarine warfare that was killing civilians, so this telegram only increased this. It was a very provocative and anti-American statement to Mexico, once the public saw it they were enraged.



US Response: Initially, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to arm American ships in case of potential German submarine attacks. However, after outspoken American opinion he asked Congress to declare war on Germany on April 2nd, 1917; on April 6th, 1917 Congress complied. It changed the course of history, author David Kahn said "No single cryptanalysis has had such enormous consequences."

 Sites Used: http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/zimmermann/ http://europeanhistory.about.com/cs/americainww1/p/przimmermantele.htm http://hubpages.com/hub/The_Zimmerman_Telegram