USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

THE UNITED STATES IN WORLD WAR I

[SOURCES]
What was the purpose of Germany sending the Zimmerman telegram to Mexico?

(A) Bring Mexico into WWI on the side of Great Britain and France

(B) ** Enlist Mexican support for Germany if the United States declared war in order to distract the U.S. by attacking the U.S.

(C) Form an alliance between Germany and the United States

(D) Convince several western states to secede from the United States

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -In January 1917, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, Heinrich von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause.

Concept note-2: -Germany promised to help Mexico take back land the United States had taken from Mexico in the Mexican–American War. These places were Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Germany wanted Mexico to enter the war so America would be too busy to help the enemies of Germany.

Concept note-3: -Zimmermann’s alliance proposal did reach the desk of Mexican President Carranza, but it was officially rejected once a military commission determined that there would be no benefit in accepting it.