What was the purpose of the Zimmerman Telegram?

The Zimmerman Telegram was a secret diplomatic communication sent from Germany to Mexico in January 1917, proposing a military alliance against the United States. The purpose of this telegram was to entice Mexico to join the Central Powers in World War I. Germany promised to support Mexico in regaining territories that had been lost to the United States, namely Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, if Mexico agreed to join forces with Germany against the U.S.

This proposal significantly alarmed the United States and contributed to the shift in American public opinion towards entering the war. The telegram was intercepted and decoded by British intelligence, and its revelation to the American public generated considerable outrage against Germany. This event was pivotal in drawing the U.S. into World War I, showcasing the strategic importance of the telegram in the broader context of international relations at that time.