Arthur Zimmermann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Zimmermann
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Zimmermann pictured
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| State Secretary for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 22 November 1916 – 6 August 1917 |
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| Chancellor | Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg |
| Preceded by | Gottlieb von Jagow |
| Succeeded by | Richard von Kühlmann |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 October 1864 Marggrabowa (now Olecko), East Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia |
| Died | 6 June 1940 (aged 75) Berlin, Nazi Germany |
| Political party | Independent |
Arthur Zimmermann (born October 5, 1864 – died June 6, 1940) was an important German politician during World War I. He served as the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs for the German Empire from 1916 to 1917. He is most famous for the Zimmermann Telegram, a secret message that played a big role in the United States joining World War I. Zimmermann also supported plans for rebellions in Ireland and India, and helped Bolsheviks against the Tsarist government in Russia.
Contents
Arthur Zimmermann's Life
Early Life and Career
Arthur Zimmermann was born in Marggrabowa, which is now called Olecko in Poland. He studied law from 1884 to 1887. After finishing his studies, he became a lawyer.
In 1893, Zimmermann started a career in diplomacy. This meant he worked for the government to manage relationships with other countries. He worked in China for several years, starting in 1896. While there, he saw the Boxer Rebellion, a major uprising in China. In 1902, he returned to Germany to work in the Foreign Office.
Rising in Government
Zimmermann quickly moved up in the Foreign Office. In 1911, he became an Under Secretary of State. On November 24, 1916, he became the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs. This was a very important job, as he was in charge of Germany's dealings with other nations. He was the first person who was not from a noble family to hold this high position.
Important Meetings Before War
In 1914, before World War I started, Zimmermann took part in important meetings. These discussions included Kaiser Wilhelm II and Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg. They decided to support Austria-Hungary after Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria was assassinated. This decision eventually led to the start of the war.
Supporting the Irish Rebellion
During the war, Zimmermann met with Roger Casement, an Irish nationalist. They planned for Germany to send soldiers and weapons to help an uprising in Ireland. However, the German military leaders did not agree to send many soldiers.
In April 1916, Casement went back to Ireland in a German U-boat. He was captured and executed. A German ship carrying 20,000 rifles for the rebels was also stopped. Despite this, the Irish Volunteers started the Easter Rising in Dublin. Even though the rebellion failed, it helped lead to Ireland's fight for independence later on.
Resignation and Death
Arthur Zimmermann resigned from his job as foreign secretary on August 6, 1917. One of the main reasons for his resignation was the famous Zimmermann Telegram. He died in Berlin in 1940 from pneumonia.
The Zimmermann Telegram
Why the Telegram Was Sent
World War I had been going on for two and a half years. The United States had tried to stay neutral, meaning they did not pick a side. However, this became harder to do.
The Royal Navy of Britain had blocked German ships from sailing. To fight back, Germany decided to start using its U-boats (submarines) to sink any ships, even passenger ships, without warning. This was called "unrestricted submarine warfare." Germany knew this would likely bring the U.S. into the war.
Germany had also been interested in Mexico for a while. They thought Mexico might be a good ally. The U.S. had sent troops into Mexico to chase after a Mexican revolutionary named Francisco Villa. Germany mistakenly thought this would keep the U.S. military busy.
The Secret Message
On January 16, 1917, Arthur Zimmermann sent a secret message to the German ambassador in Mexico. This message is known as the Zimmermann Telegram.
In the telegram, Zimmermann suggested that Germany and Mexico form an alliance. If the U.S. joined the war against Germany, Mexico should also declare war on the U.S. Germany promised to give Mexico money and help Mexico get back lands it had lost to the U.S. These lands included Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The telegram also suggested that Mexico try to convince Japan to join this new alliance.
How the Telegram Was Discovered
The British intelligence service intercepted and decoded the Zimmermann Telegram. They then shared it with the United States.
The Telegram's Impact
On March 1, 1917, the U.S. government shared the text of the telegram with the public. At first, some people in the U.S. thought it might be a fake message created by Britain to make the U.S. join the war.
However, on March 29, 1917, Zimmermann gave a speech in Germany. In this speech, he confirmed that he had indeed sent the telegram. This ended all doubts about its truth. By this time, several U.S. ships had also been sunk by German U-boats, causing many deaths.
On April 2, President Woodrow Wilson asked the U.S. Congress to declare war on Germany. He said that Germany was trying to "stir up enemies against us at our very doors." On April 6, Congress voted to declare war. The United States officially entered World War I on the side of the Allies.
Mexico's Response
Mexico's government, led by Venustiano Carranza, looked into Zimmermann's proposals. They realized that trying to take back the lost territories would cause big problems and likely another war with the U.S. Mexico also knew it could not handle a large American population within its borders. Germany would also not be able to send enough weapons to help Mexico. Because of these reasons, Carranza declined Zimmermann's offer on April 14, 1917.
Peace Efforts and the Eastern Front
Seeking Peace in the East
In March 1917, the Russian government was facing big problems. Zimmermann saw a chance to make "Peace in the East" with Russia. This was very important for Germany, as it would free up German armies fighting in the east.
Zimmermann suggested that Germany and Russia pull back their troops from occupied areas. He also proposed friendly agreements about Poland, Lithuania, and Courland. Germany also promised to help Russia rebuild. Most importantly, Zimmermann allowed Lenin and other Russian revolutionaries living outside Russia to travel through Germany by train to Russia. These actions helped lead to the October Revolution in Russia, which changed the course of the war. If peace was made in the east, Germany could move its soldiers to the Western Front, making its army much stronger there.
See also
In Spanish: Arthur Zimmermann para niños
