The infamous Zimmermann telegram was secretly sent by German Imperial Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann on January 16, 1917, the purpose of which was to urge which country into commencing hostilities with the United States, thereby ending its neutrality during World War I?
Answer: Mexico. The telegram instructed German Ambassador Heinrich von Eckardt to approach the Mexican government in the hope of securing a military alliance. The Germans offered the Mexicans to “make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.” Instead, on its discovery, an outraged America declared war on Germany.
Source: Castles of Steel by Robert K. Massie
