According to Kaiser Wilhelm II in his “Speech from the Throne” what event “opened up a great abyss” and sparked the crisis that led to war?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.
Define total war
Total war is a conflict in which all resources and population of a country are mobilized in order to achieve a complete victory over the enemy. This includes the total involvement of civilians and military, the use of all available technology and weaponry, and the targeting of entire cities or regions rather than just military targets. Total war also involves the use of propaganda, economic and social mobilization, and the imposition of strict government control over all aspects of life in the country.
What was the Zimmermann Telegram?
The Zimmermann Telegram was a secret message sent by the German Foreign Secretary, Arthur Zimmermann, to the German ambassador in Mexico in 1917 during World War I. The telegram proposed that Mexico should join the war on the side of Germany in exchange for support in regaining territories lost to the United States, such as Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The British intercepted the telegram and passed it on to the United States, which caused outrage among the American public and became a significant factor in the United States’ decision to enter World War I on the side of the Allies.
What did the Zimmerman Telegram accomplish
The Zimmerman Telegram accomplished a few things, but they were all negative outcomes for Germany.
Firstly, the interception and publicizing of the telegram turned American public opinion against Germany and played a significant role in bringing the United States into World War I on the side of the Allies.
Secondly, it caused tensions between Germany and Mexico, as the Mexican government rejected the proposal but still felt betrayed by Germany's attempt to involve them in a conflict that could put them at odds with their powerful neighbor, the United States.
Finally, the leak of the telegram damaged Germany's relationship with other neutral countries, as it demonstrated that Germany was willing to use aggressive tactics in its pursuit of victory. Ultimately, the Zimmerman Telegram was a strategic blunder for Germany that contributed to its defeat in World War I.