We intend to begin on the 1st of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis. Make war together, make peace together,

generous financial support,

and an understanding on our part

that Mexico is to reconquer

the lost territory in Texas,

New Mexico, and Arizona.

Cable from German Foreign Minister

Arthur Zimmerman to German ambassador to the U.S. Count Bernsdorff.

Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

Music The

The Theean, Episode 134, The Zimmerman Telegram

When we last looked at the situation in Mexico, it was July 1916, General Blackjack

Pershing's expedition had failed to kill or capture Pancho Villa, but had succeeded into

getting into combat with the forces of the

Carranza government, which the U.S. recognized as the legitimate government of Mexico, and who

were just as anxious to get rid of Pancho Villa as Pershing was, whoever said, the enemy of my

enemy is my friend, never studied this conflict. The irony here is that earlier in the Mexican

revolution, Pancho Villa was arguably the most pro-US of the revolutionary leaders. He was

friendly with many Americans. He regularly received American journalists and even reenacted his own

battles for the benefit of American

movie studios. When the U.S. occupied Veracruz, Pancho Villarruz, Poncho Vio was the only revolutionary

leader who declined to denounce the American action, even though it had been intended to help

...