Episode 38: Did One Telegram Bring America into the Great War?

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In January 1917, as war raged across the globe, only one major power remained neutral: the United States. Having swayed between pro- and anti-German sentiment since 1914, it was recognised by most that American involvement could decide the outcome of the war. It was with that knowledge that the German government sent a telegram that would, just perhaps, seal its fate. The Zimmermann Telegram was an offer to Mexico. If the United States entered the war, Germany would provide money and support for Mexico to open a front against the US and reconquer its lost territory in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. With Britain having cut Germany’s transatlantic cables in 1914, the message was sent through…