Arthur Zimmermann

October 5, 1864 (age 75)

Olecko, Mazury, Poland

He studied law but chose to enter the diplomatic field, serving in consulates at Shanghai (1896) and Canton (1898 - 1899), and was appointed consul at Tientsin (1900 - 1901). He returned to Germany via the United States and transferred to the foreign office, where he held numerous positions. In the week following the assassination of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand at Sarajevo in 1914, Zimmermann was acting secretary in the absence of Gottlieb von Jagow, secretary of state for foreign affairs. Germany's decision to stand by Austria-Hungary in her action against Serbia was made by the kaiser in consultation with Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg and Zimmermann at Potsdam Palace outside Berlin on July 5. Zimmermann drafted the telegram to Vienna stating that Austria-Hungary could rely on Germany's loyal support "under all circumstances, " a phrase which the more cautious chancellor struck out. As undersecretary, Zimmermann conducted a large share of the relations with foreign envoys, especially with U. S. Ambassador James W. Gerard and President Wilson's personal emissary, Colonel Edward M. House, on his several visits to Germany in June 1914, March 1915, and January 1916. When, in 1916, the German high command insisted on a resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare as the only remaining weapon to defeat the Allies, even at the risk of provoking U. S. belligerency, Jagow resigned, and Zimmermann, who was regarded as "pro-U-boat, " was appointed in his place. In an effort to nullify or at least to reduce American intervention in Europe by absorbing the United States' arms and energies on its side of the Atlantic, Zimmermann planned to embroil the United States in war with Mexico and Japan. In pursuit of this goal, on Jan. 17, 1917, he sent the telegram that is his claim to fame. Addressed to the German minister in Mexico, von Eckhardt, it authorized him to propose to President Carranza of Mexico an offensive and defensive alliance with Germany, with "an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, " and asking Carranza "to invite the immediate adherence of Japan. " Intercepted and decoded by British Admiralty Intelligence, the telegram was made available to the U. S. government and published on Mar. 1, 1917. Zimmermann lost office along with Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg in July 1917 and never held it again.

Arthur Zimmermann

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Background

He was born Oct. 5, 1864, in Marggrabowa, East Prussia (present-day Olecko, Mazury, Poland).

Education

He studied law from 1884-87 in Königsberg, East Prussia, and Leipzig. A period as a junior lawyer followed and later he received his doctorate of law.

Career

He studied law but chose to enter the diplomatic field, serving in consulates at Shanghai (1896) and Canton (1898 - 1899), and was appointed consul at Tientsin (1900 - 1901). He returned to Germany via the United States and transferred to the foreign office, where he held numerous positions. In the week following the assassination of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand at Sarajevo in 1914, Zimmermann was acting secretary in the absence of Gottlieb von Jagow, secretary of state for foreign affairs. Germany's decision to stand by Austria-Hungary in her action against Serbia was made by the kaiser in consultation with Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg and Zimmermann at Potsdam Palace outside Berlin on July 5. Zimmermann drafted the telegram to Vienna stating that Austria-Hungary could rely on Germany's loyal support "under all circumstances, " a phrase which the more cautious chancellor struck out.

As undersecretary, Zimmermann conducted a large share of the relations with foreign envoys, especially with U. S. Ambassador James W. Gerard and President Wilson's personal emissary, Colonel Edward M. House, on his several visits to Germany in June 1914, March 1915, and January 1916. When, in 1916, the German high command insisted on a resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare as the only remaining weapon to defeat the Allies, even at the risk of provoking U. S. belligerency, Jagow resigned, and Zimmermann, who was regarded as "pro-U-boat, " was appointed in his place.

In an effort to nullify or at least to reduce American intervention in Europe by absorbing the United States' arms and energies on its side of the Atlantic, Zimmermann planned to embroil the United States in war with Mexico and Japan. In pursuit of this goal, on Jan. 17, 1917, he sent the telegram that is his claim to fame. Addressed to the German minister in Mexico, von Eckhardt, it authorized him to propose to President Carranza of Mexico an offensive and defensive alliance with Germany, with "an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, " and asking Carranza "to invite the immediate adherence of Japan. " Intercepted and decoded by British Admiralty Intelligence, the telegram was made available to the U. S. government and published on Mar. 1, 1917. Zimmermann lost office along with Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg in July 1917 and never held it again.

Achievements

His name is associated with the Zimmermann Telegram during World War I. In convincing Americans of German hostility, it became a principal factor in the American declaration of war five weeks later.

Politics

Zimmermann took steps to promote Peace in the East with the Russians. Zimmermann thus contributed to the outcome of the October Revolution.

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