The document discusses how the Zimmermann Telegram was a major factor in drawing the United States into World War 1. It was a secret message from Germany to Mexico proposing an alliance against the U.S. if America entered the war. This inflamed American public opinion and helped push the U.S. to join the allies in 1917. Students will learn about the encrypted telegram by reading materials and watching videos that explain its contents and impact. They will then answer questions to evaluate their understanding of how the telegram drew the previously neutral U.S. into the First World War.

1. U.S Involvement in WW1
Introduction: Students will be learning about the Zimmermann note and how to read the
encrypted message that came from Germany to Mexico. Student will realize that this was a
major factor for the U.S. involvement of World War One. It was the process of Germany trying
to become alliances with Mexico in case a war did break out with the United States. This helped
get the United States into the war by inflaming U.S. public opinion. It is relevant to the students
because it is important to know the events that led or pushed the United States to become part
of the First World War.
Task: students will watch a series of video to find out more information about the Zimmerman
note and why it was one of the deciding factors for the U.S. to enter WW1.
Process: You will pull out your handout you have been working on in class for two days and
flip to page 3. You will read the passage and then watch this video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gedy8LwQTaw
After you watch this video you will complete the two question about the political cartoon on the
worksheet.
You will then visit the national archives website and look at the encrypted version of the telegram.
www.nationalarchives.org
You will then watch a video on history.com
http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/what-was-the-zimmermann-telegram
You will then answer these questions?
1. Why was Germany seeking out an alliance with Mexico?
2. What did Germany promise Mexico?
3. Why did it make the United States so upset?
4. What year did the United States enter WW1?
5. What does neutrality mean?
6. Why was the U.S. reluctant to join WW1?
7. Who captured the telegram?

2. Evaluation: Students will be evaluated on their answers for the questions listen above. They
need to be answered correctly and fully answered in order to receive full credit. To be safe students
should not have one word answers.
Conclusion: Students should be able to explain what the Zimmerman note is and what it did for
the involvement of the United States in WW1.