Or how to find the perfect excuse
As we have seen on the blog sometime in the summer of 1914 began the greatest war Europe had seen to date (twenty years then we would far outweigh). In a Initially, the Great European War a few nations involved, all based in Europe, but that does not stop the conflict from spreading to the respective colonies.
As many know, the United States of America also participated in the European theater. Their participation was neither as heroic (or decisive, even though this goes for another article) and the next war, but there were. And as in all (or nearly all) wars in which they participated (and participate), there was an explosive that mobilized all quisqui for going to war. If you ask people, many will tell you that was the sinking of RMS Lusitania . But that was not the decisive ...
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| the world by 1917. Dark green, the Entente, in dark yellow, the Central Powers, the lighter colors correspond well to the territories occupied by the different sides, or their colonies |
Let's start with presenting the scenario and key actors. Early 1917, the German Empire (and the burden of allies that had) was battling on two fronts in Europe. On the one hand, the Eastern Front, which faced the Russian Empire, on the other, the West, which housed the famous war of trenches. In addition, he maintained a hard pulse with the British Empire for control of the seas (which ended in a draw after the Battle of Jutland in 1916). However, several events would alter the "balance."
About Russia, who was blind could not see that something big would happen. And anti-liberal forces (the most famous, the Bolsheviks) threatened the integrity of the Empire, outdated machinery held together only by the tight control of the Tsar. In fact, in February there was the "February Revolution", which ignited the revolt that would put Europe on its head, the Revolution Bolshevik.
As for England, Germany had taken the decision to drown, suffocate on his island, preventing any merchant (or suspected) could arrive at port. Had been given carte blanche to the total submarine warfare. Were aware of what that meant: if the neutrality of certain ships was not fully secured before the order, now was not even guaranteed. In fact, no merchant ships and not war in error and were sunk by German submarines or consciousness. The most famous example, the aforementioned RMS Lusitania in 1915. It killed one hundred and fourteen ( that number again, chases me ... ) Citizens, and some point to that fact as the cause of the entry into war. But no. Because the ship to begin with was English.
And as for names we will see repeated in this article, we started. In the red corner, Arthur Zimmermann, the Foreign Minister of the German Empire at the time. In its history, from participating in the deliberation on whether to support the Austro-Hungarian Empire in its declaration of war against Serbia (which began WWI), giving face to the world for the shooting of Edith Clavell (nurse English in Belgium who helped him escape to the Netherlands some Allied soldiers, thus violating the neutrality that is assumed to Red Cross), or undermine the foundation of the Russian Empire (the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and war makes strange bedfellows: Germany, the reactionary Germany of Kaiser Wilhelm II, not only missed its territory Lenin came to Russia, but supported the Bolsheviks and eventually ended up causing the collapse of the Tsarist, sentenced to death by his cousin Nicholas). Also supported from Germany to Irish independence from the British Empire. Diplomatically divided for all, come on.
In the blue corner, Woodrow Wilson, at the time, President of the United States, in its first term (1913 - 1917, was re-elected in that year and held office until 1921). Champion of isolationism, arrogated to itself the virtue of having maintained the war outside the U.S. (Or rather, the reverse). After the war, would lead the movement for the creation of the League of Nations, was named agency failed to prevent another disaster of war ...
The incident also involved several consuls, spyware, crackers ... But neither is the head tiing plan.
The story (finally) is as follows. In January 1917, Arthur Zimmermann sent the German ambassador in Mexico a telegram, Wikipedia translation, reads as follows:
We intend to begin on February submarine warfare unrestricted. However, we will strive to maintain the neutrality of the United States of America.If you do not succeed, we offer Mexico an alliance on the following basis: make war together, declare peace together, provide lots of financial support, and understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the territory lost in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. Details of the agreement are at your discretion [von Eckardt, German Ambassador to Mexico].you hereby responsible for informing the President [of Mexico] all the above, the most secret manner possible, as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is a sure fact. Should also suggest that you take the initiative to invite Japan to join immediately to this plan, while offering to mediate between Japan and ourselves.Point out to the President that the ruthless use of our submarines and is predictable that England will be forced to sue for peace in the coming months.
In a message sent to Mexico three lines. One of them, via Copenhagen to the German ambassador in Washington, who had orders to forward it to its counterpart in Mexico was intercepted, as the submarine cable linking the Danish capital with the U.S. passing through England. But Zimmermann, history has shown that it was silly (and also honest enough, really) made sure to embarrass England if intercepted (and published) the message would show that, in order that we understand, were punctured American Line ... In other words, they spied on, while being neutral. And that, my friends would not like at all in the former colonies.
also reveal that they have broken the German code, which would cause them changed it immediately, leaving them blind and deaf as the beginning of the war (to England was presented with the same dilemma in the Second World War, only this time Coventry took the sacrifice in exchange for maintaining the secrecy that had broken the Enigma system, and save many lives at their expense).
And here comes the genius of the British intelligence service. Needed to show, as it were, that this message had come to Mexico, where it was intercepted, because otherwise they would commit suicide diplomat. Thus, a man infiltrated the German embassy in Mexico City and, oh, fortune, there was, a copy of the message. Had not reached the hands of President Carranza, because the telegram himself ordered to report only if the conflict with U.S. was inevitable. But no matter, with appropriate propaganda would put the "aggrieved" by the Allies.
And it was. From what the Lusitania the German was frowned upon. Even Wilson condemned the incident. The warmongers won the game, although the telegram was clear, although in the United States itself and from the German propaganda swore it was a lie.
And all this though, if once accepted U.S. Mexico declared war on Germany, was a lost cause. For many anti-American sentiments (and on the other hand, anti-Mexican) that were forged in Mexico, although in a hypothetical expires, it could handle in an appropriate way these territories recovered. Nor could assimilate (or relocate) to Anglophones, and repopulate with Mexicans. In addition, the internal situation of the United Mexican States was not ideal to get into a "fregao" in that category. I do not know how tried to send economic and military aid, really. What about Japan? But if it was at war with the Central Powers! You really thought they were going to switch sides so, because?
not quite understand what he meant by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as personified by Zimmermann, nor the German government, with that message. Yes, watch your back. The fact that the U.S. had the war on its borders certainly avoid fully participate on the Western Front. Was it a trick for England? Were too naive? Who knows ... Zimmermann was aware that sooner or later discover the truth, and said in a speech in March, the authenticity of the telegram. In April, USA declared war on the Central Powers, and in August, Zimmermann resigned. Although a few months after peace came to the Eastern Front, the effort to defeat Germany by France showed useless. Internal instability was too much for the country, and were forced to surrender to the Allies in late 1918. And Versailles was y. .. Well, the rest is history we all know.
