2/26 【歷史上的今天】美國加入一戰的契機

每天一篇《美國歷史上的今天》，提煉和總結歷史在今天發生的重要事件：誰，在哪裡，什麼時候，做了什麼，這件事為什麼重要、以及在寫關於什麼主題的論文的時候可以作為潛在論據引用。每天半分鐘，輕鬆積累史實，為AP歷史拿5分打下堅實基礎！

When: Feb 26, 1917

What: President Woodrow Wilson learned of the so-called Zimmermann Telegram, a message from German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann to the German ambassador to Mexico proposing a Mexican-German alliance in the event of a war between the U.S. and Germany.

Why significant: The event was a crucial step toward U.S. entry into World War I.

The Zimmermann Telegram was a coded message from Zimmermann to the German ambassador to Mexico. In the telegram Zimmermann instructed his ambassador in the event of a German war with the U.S. to offer significant financial aid to Mexico, if it agreed to enter the conflict as a German ally. Germany also promised to restore to Mexico the lost territories of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The telegram was intercepted and deciphered by British intelligence, and sent to the U.S. In response, President Wilson proposed to Congress that the U.S. should start arming its ships against possible German attacks. Wilson also authorized the State Department to publish the telegram.

The Zimmermann Telegram helped turn the U.S. public, already angered by repeated German attacks on U.S. ships, firmly against Germany. On April 2, President Wilson, who had initially sought a peaceful resolution to World War I, urged immediate U.S. entrance into the war. Four days later, Congress formally declared war against Germany.

Tags: WWI, The Zimmermann Telegram, President Woodrow Wilson

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