Germany's agenda for Mexico (1910 to 1942)

[R_P_A_S]

In 3 of my readings about Mexican History I've found a "German Hand" sort of speak. I find this interesting. I wonder what you guys know or think about it.

1. While reading about the Mexican Revolution 1910-1920 I found out that Imperial Germany provided financial support to some factions of the Mexican Revolution. All thought I'm not quite sure to which yet (still reading) However Germany hoped to gain influence in Mexico to distract the USA from joining WWI against them.

2. The Zimmerman Telegram that Germany sent to Mexican ambassador in 1917 asking Mexico to join Germany's side during WWI in return they could assist Mexico financially and regain lost territory to the USA.

3. During 1940-42 there was an embargo of Mexican Oil by Britain and the USA since President Cardenas nationalized their assets.Nazi Germany became the only country to do business with Mexico and yet again they asked them to join the Axis Powers against the Allies. I believe Mexican oil tankers were sunk in the Gulf of Mexico and the USA informed Mexico that it was a German submarine. However some people say that the USA did this to Mexico so that they would forget any alliance with Germany and instead declare war on them, which they ultimately did.

I gather from this that Germany was being opportunistic. Mexico had internal wars going on and facing embargo and Germany wanted to capitalize on that. Interesting though. That the Germans were so ambitious to have an partner so close to the USA.

thoughts? Corrections?

[erupt]

I gather from this that Germany was being opportunistic. Mexico had internal wars going on and facing embargo and Germany wanted to capitalize on that. Interesting though. That the Germans were so ambitious to have an partner so close to the USA.

thoughts? Corrections?
I've viewed it as realpolitik, so to speak. Honestly, if Mexico's demography were made of up a very large portion of Jewish people, the Germans would've tried the same thing.

The Germans, of all nations, knew the pain of a two-front war better than most, and to me it's obvious they were trying to give the U.S. another front to deal with (I'm not even counting the Pacific Theater.)

I'd be interested in what a "Germanified" North and South America would look like; this is, of course, a "what if-" type of deal, but I'd like to know, especially in World War II, which nation would get what territory. I'd imagine the Nazis would prefer anywhere with a significant German expat demography, but what would they be happy giving the Mexican state?

[R_P_A_S]

Since German was on the losing side both times of this conflicts I wonder if this would have turn out to be terrible for Mexico. Possibly US occupation?

[erupt]

Since German was on the losing side both times of this conflicts I wonder if this would have turn out to be terrible for Mexico. Possibly US occupation?

Oh, I believe so, too. I can see it now... "You're entering the 63rd state of the Union, Welcome to Oaxaca!"

[Invader Zim]

You have the purpose of the Zimmerman Telegraph slightly wrong. It was not to bring Mexico into the war per-say, rather it was to prevent US military intervention into the war.

The situation in 1917 was that in order to win the war Germany had to out produce the Allied nations. The result was that the German navy engaged in unrestricted submarine warfare against the shipping lanes between northern Europe and the United States. The result was the considerable loss of Anglo-American shipping, including the sinking of the Lusitania which caused a significant loss of US lives. Fearing US entry into the war the German's agreed to restrict submarine warfare. However, that proved to be costly and military strategists at the highest levels concluded that the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare was necessary for the continued prosecution of the war. However, that led to the same issue as before - what about the Americans?

The Zimmerman plan was to engineer a war between the US and Mexico which would prevent the US from having the inclination to join in the war in Europe despite German attacks on her shipping. It was a grand diplomatic conspiracy and one which blew up in Germany's face entirely.