The Zimmerman Telegram - Big Mistake!
In my opinion, if the Germans never sent the Zimmerman Telegram, the Central Powers might have won. Out of all the mistakes in world history, it would be up there as one of the worst. Let's see why. The Zimmerman Telegram was sent by Germany to Mexico in 1917 during World War I. They wanted to form a coalition with Mexico against the United States. In return, Mexico would regain Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Mexico rejected this, but something even more important happened. You see, British intelligence detected the telegram, and they sent it to Washington. ( source ) The American government was furious. So they declared war on Germany. Now, why was this a big mistake? Well, you see, the Central Powers were winning until the Americans joined. Romania and Serbia had capitulated by 1917, and Russia was close to losing. (They did leave later on.) Also, Germany was getting close to Paris. They should have just kept the...