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Zimmermann Telegram: The Telegram Summary

Memo to Mexico (For Your Eyes Only)

  • Zimmermann announces that Germany will begin sinking whatever ships it wants in about two weeks. He calls it "unrestricted submarine warfare." Catchy, right?
  • He admits that this may have the super obvious effect of making the U.S. mad at Germany, but that the German government doesn't want the U.S. to join the war.
  • However, if the U.S. does declare war on Germany, they have a backup plan and it involves Mexico.
  • The Plan:
    • Germany allies with Mexico.
    • Germany pays for Mexico's invasion of the U.S.
    • Mexico gets to reclaim territory it previously lost to the U.S. while Germany gets a distraction that will keep the U.S. out of its hair.
    • End of plan.
  • Zimmermann implies that Mexico can basically do whatever it wants to the U.S. and Germany won't mind.
  • He then tells the German Ambassador to Mexico to tell the Mexican president all of the above as soon as the U.S. makes a move toward war with Germany.
  • The Mexican president is also to be told that he can invite Japan along if he wants; just let them know so that they can figure out how many pizzas to order.
  • The German Ambassador is instructed to tell the Mexican president about how the German subs are totally going to sink everything and be really awesome.
  • He also brags about how one of the reasons the subs will be awesome is that they're going to make England surrender real soon.
  • Yours truly, Zimmermann.