Question

america enters the war
directions: review the questions below and think about these questions as you watch the video. take notes that answer these questions as the video plays.

1. how did arthur zimmerman’s actions influence america to enter the war?

1. how did president wilson find out about zimmerman’s plan?

1. what did the americans first think when they heard the news of zimmerman’s plan?

1. how did they eventually learn the truth?

Explanation:

To answer these questions, we analyze the context of the Zimmermann Telegram and America's entry into World War I:

1. How did Arthur Zimmerman’s actions influence America to enter the war?

Arthur Zimmermann, Germany’s Foreign Secretary, sent a telegram (the Zimmermann Telegram) proposing an alliance with Mexico against the U.S. If Mexico joined Germany, it would recover Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. When the U.S. learned of this, it sparked outrage, shifting public opinion toward supporting war against Germany, ultimately pushing America to enter WWI.

British intelligence intercepted and decoded the Zimmermann Telegram (sent via a trans - Atlantic cable). They shared this decoded message with the U.S., so President Wilson learned of Zimmermann’s plan through British intelligence’s interception and decryption of the telegram.

Initially, many Americans were skeptical, thinking it might be a British hoax (as Britain and the U.S. had tensions, and Britain wanted U.S. involvement in the war). They doubted the telegram’s authenticity, suspecting British manipulation to drag the U.S. into the conflict.

Answer:

Zimmermann sent a telegram (the Zimmermann Telegram) proposing a German - Mexican alliance against the U.S. (promising Mexico territory). This outraged Americans, shifting public opinion to support entering WWI, influencing the U.S. to join the war.

2. How did President Wilson find out about Zimmerman’s plan?