U.S. Goes to War Zimmerman Telegram Leads To Passage Of Declaration 1917

Abstract

In February, the British gave the U.S. an intercepted telegram that had been sent from Germany to Mexico. The message, which would become known as the "Zimmerman Telegram," proposed an alliance between the two countries. The telegram exhorted Mexico to invade the Southwestern U.S. In return, Germany promised to return to Mexico two of its former territories - Texas and New Mexico - once the U.S. and its allies were vanquished.

The telegram, coupled with already present anti-German sentiment, prompted [Woodrow] Wilson to call for action. After the joint session, the House voted to delcare war, 375-57, and the Senate agreed, voting 82- 6. On April 6, Wilson signed the official declaration.