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A series of uprisings against the Diaz dictatorship in Mexico by multiple armed groups. Wealth disparities, lack of political freedoms, and the poor treatment of workers would spark the initial rebellions. After a decade of fighting a constitutional republic would be established. The constant fighting would cause thousands of Mexicans to flee to the United States.

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Mexican Revolution From left to right and top to bottom: Huertista troops insurging against President Francisco Madero, Ten Tragic Days, 1913 Questionable photograph, may come from a 1930s film or be a period production Defense of the government by supporters of Madero, Ten Tragic Days, 1913, Mexico City El Niño

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During WWI Germany would send a message to Mexico asking them to join the war against the United States. The letter explained that Germany would help Mexico invade and occupy the Southern United States. However, the message was intercepted by British intelligence and handed over to the United States. The fear of infiltration by foreign powers would lead to the U.S fortifying it's border with Mexico.

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Español

In January 1917, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, Heinrich von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause. This message helped draw the United States into the war and thus changed the course of history. Read more...

Primary Sources
Links go to DocsTeach, the online tool for teaching with documents from the National Archives.
Teaching Activities

The Zimmermann Telegram on DocsTeach asks students to analyze the telegram to determine if the United States should have entered World War I based on the telegram's information and implications.

In this Decoding a Message exercise, students decode a fictitious message using a simple substitution code.

Additional Background Information

Between 1914 and the spring of 1917, the European nations engaged in a conflict that became known as World War I. While armies moved across the face of Europe, the United States remained neutral. In 1916 Woodrow Wilson was reelected President for a second term, largely because of the slogan "He kept us out of war."

Events in early 1917 would change that hope. In frustration over the effective British naval blockade, Germany broke its pledge to limit submarine warfare on February 1, 1917. In response to the breaking of the Sussex pledge, the United States severed diplomatic relations with Germany. Several weeks later, on February 24, the British presented the Zimmermann telegram to the U.S. Government in an effort to capitalize on growing anti-German sentiment in the United States. The American press published news of the telegram on March 1. On April 6, 1917, the United States Congress formally declared war on Germany and its allies.

The Zimmermann Telegram had such an impact on American opinion that, according to David Kahn, author of The Codebreakers, "No other single cryptanalysis has had such enormous consequences." It is his opinion that "never before or since has so much turned upon the solution of a secret message.
This text was adapted from the article "The Zimmerman Telegram" by Mary Alexander and Marilyn Childress.
Citation: Alexander, Mary and Marilyn Childress. "The Zimmerman Telegram." Social Education 45, 4 (April 1981): 266
Materials created by the National Archives and Records Administration are in the public domain.

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Español In January 1917, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, Heinrich von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause. This message helped draw the United States into the war and thus changed the course of history.

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"The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the largest and oldest Hispanic and Latino civil rights organization in the United States. It was established on February 17, 1929, in Corpus Christi, Texas, largely by Hispanics returning from World War I who sought to end ethnic discrimination against Latinos in the United States. The goal of LULAC is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health, and civil rights of Hispanic people in the United States." (Wikipedia.org)

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A period of economic recession felt across the globe. "It is estimated that unemployment hit 24.9% during the Great Depression. Employment dropped by 20.5 million, more than 10 times the previous largest monthly decrease of 1.96 million experienced in September 1945 after World War II ended. At that point in time, this was about 3.3% of the workforce." (Forbes.com)

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Great Depression: Causes, Definition & Dates | HISTORY

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The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn in world history. Learn about the Dust Bowl, New Deal, causes of the Great Depression, a Great Depression timeline more.

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"The Mexican Repatriation was the repatriation and deportations of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans to Mexico from the United States during the Great Depression between 1929 and 1939. Estimates of how many were repatriated range from 355,000 to 2,000,000. An estimated forty to sixty percent of those repatriated were citizens of the United States - overwhelmingly children." (Wikipedia.org) Many in the U.S blamed Mexican and Mexican-Americans for the unemployment of the Great Depression. They were also portrayed as taking jobs from American workers.

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This policy was an attempt to repair ties with the governments of Latin America after a period of U.S interventionism in the past. FDR promised the governments of Latin America that the U.S would stay out of their affairs and engage in fair trade deals with them. This was done in an attempt to grow trade between the countries and form allies.

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"The Mexican oil expropriation was the nationalization of all petroleum reserves, facilities, and foreign oil companies in Mexico on March 18, 1938. In accordance with Article 27 of the Constitution of 1917, President Lázaro Cárdenas declared that all mineral and oil reserves found within Mexico belong to "the nation", i.e., the federal government. The Mexican government established a state-owned petroleum company, Petróleos Mexicanos, or PEMEX." (Wikipedia.org) The nationalization of oil was the result of foreign companies refusing to meet worker's demands such as a 40 hour work week, paid time off, and a payment of 65 million pesos. After refusing a 26 million peso compromise, court orders, and strikes President Cardenas nationalized all the oil in Mexico to grant the workers their demands.

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1941: Navy and Marine Crops Reserve Armory is Completed 

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1941: Navy and Marine Crops Reserve Armory is Completed 

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The Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Armory is built in Chavez Ravine in L.A. The facility would hold 20,000 troops during WWII. The armory was constructed due to fears of the west coast being attacked by the Japanese.

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The Japanese navy bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in an attempt to prevent the U.S Pacific Fleet from mobilizing to South East Asia to stop their invasion. Several ships and dozens of aircraft would be destroyed or damaged. 2,335 U.S soldiers would also lose their lives in the attack. The U.S would declare war on the Axis after the event.

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February 19th, 1942: Executive Order 9066

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February 19th, 1942: Executive Order 9066

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President Roosevelt would give an executive order to remove any citizens from areas deemed for military use. The order was meant to be used to prevent the enemy from spying, but the U.S government would use this as justification for incarcerating and relocating people mostly of Japanese ancestry. Although small numbers of those with German and Italian ancestry were also moved to these camps. Despite being portrayed as foreigners most of those who moved to these camps were American citizens and have resided in the country for years.

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June 1st, 1942: Mexico Declares War on Axis

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June 1st, 1942: Mexico Declares War on Axis

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In the month of May German U-boats sunk two Mexican oil tankers in the Gulf of Mexico. The attack resulted in the death of 13 Mexican sailors. After Germany refused to take responsibility or compensate Mexico for their loss President Manuel Avila Camacho declared war on the Axis powers.

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"The "Sleepy Lagoon murder" was the name that Los Angeles newspapers used to describe the death of José Gallardo Díaz, who was discovered unconscious and dying on the ground near a swimming hole (known as the Sleepy Lagoon) with two stab wounds and a broken finger in Commerce, California, on the morning of August 2, 1942. Earlier, he was seen at a party for Eleanor Delgadillo Coronado where he left afterward with his two friends, Luis "Cito" Vargas and Andrew Torres. He was then confronted by a group of friends from the 38th street neighborhood, who came to the party seeking revenge for an earlier beating of some of their friends." (Wikipedia.org) L.A police would later round up 600 Mexican youth from the 38th street neighborhood to find suspects regarding Jose Diaz's murder.

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A series of agreements between the U.S and Mexico where Mexican workers would come work on American farms due to a labor shortage. Mexican workers were promised stable living conditions, 30 cents minimum wage, protection from military service, and a private savings account. However, many of these Braceros never received the promised benefits due to farmers taking advantage of them.

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1942-1947: Texas Banned from Receiving Braceros

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1942-1947: Texas Banned from Receiving Braceros

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For the first five years, Texas did not receive any Braceros. This was due to many Texas farmers fearing that the terms would be too costly and put them out of business. Harsh treatment of workers, segregation, and lynchings of Mexicans in Texas would also motivate Mexico to keep Braceros away from Texas.

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Seventeen mostly Latino youth from the 38th street gang are charged with the murder of Jose Diaz. The media of L.A paints the young men as gang members who were a nuisance to the neighborhood. Prosecutors told the jury lies such as the boy's Aztec ancestry made them have a bloodlust. After the trial three defendants were given life sentences, nine received 5 years to life, and the final five received only a year in jail

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Groups of sailors, soldiers, marines, and civilians begin to go around the L.A area attacking those wearing zoot suits. Most of those attacked would be Mexican-Americans but many other minorities would be target by the mob. Minority communities would also begin to clash against the mob to protect their neighborhood. Although the riots persisted for several days no deaths were reported.

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June 8th,1943: L.A is Declared Off-Limits to Soldiers, Marines, and Sailors

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June 8th,1943: L.A is Declared Off-Limits to Soldiers, Marines, and Sailors

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After several days of rioting military officials declared that all military personnel must remain inside the reserve base. Military police would be dispatched to arrest those that ignored the order.

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October 2nd, 1944: Sleepy Lagoon Verdicts are Overturned

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October 2nd, 1944: Sleepy Lagoon Verdicts are Overturned

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The Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee(SLDC) was established after the Sleepy Lagoon trial to campaign for an appeal. By 1944 the group has raised enough money and their appeal went to the Second District Court of Appeals. Judge Clement Nye would overturn all seventeen verdicts due to lack of evidence, denial of the right to counsel, and the bias of the judge overseeing the Sleepy Lagoon trial. All of the defendants were released and their records were cleared.