Why did Germany propose an alliance with Mexico?
1 Answer
To keep the United States busy in the event that the US declared war on Germany.
Explanation:
While the First World War was in progress, the United States was leaning more and more toward the British/French/Russian side, primarily because of Wilson's favoritism towards England.
Germany was suffering as the stalemate in Europe dragged on, and they felt that they needed to keep America from siding with the Allies, or to find a way to neutralize them if they did.
The Mexican Revolution was taking place at the same time (1910-1920). Pancho Villa, one of the Mexican revolutionary generals, staged a small hit-and-run raid on a town on the US-Mexican border in 1916. The US dispatched General Pershing to pursue him into Mexico and capture him. After defeating Villa's main force and spending a month in the field, Pershing was unable to locate and capture Villa.
Meanwhile, the Constitutionalists (the government of Mexico) objected to American troops violating Mexico's borders and sovereignty, and resisted the free passage of the US forces. Although outright war was averted, both sides were tense and ready.
Germany sought to take advantage of the simmering dispute and offered aid to Mexico if they declared war on the US, but only if the United States declared war on Germany. A coded telegram was sent by Arthur Zimmerman to the Mexican ambassador detailing out the offer, but it was intercepted by the British and made public.
The political and public outrage over the "Zimmerman Telegram" helped push the United States to enter the war on the side of the Allies in 1917.
