The Zimmerman Telegram

In January 1917, during a stalemate in World War I, German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann sent a top-secret telegram to the president of Mexico, inviting Mexico to join Germany and Japan in an invasion of the United States.

This message was intercepted and decoded by British decoders in Room 40.

The telegram's revelation was a crucial factor in President Woodrow Wilson's decision to ask for a declaration of war, drawing the United States into the conflict.

Tuchman's book details the espionage, intrigue, and diplomatic maneuvers surrounding this pivotal event, showcasing her mastery of historical narrative and analysis.