In 1917, British Intelligence intercepted a diplomatic telegram between Germany and Mexico.

The contents of the telegram contained information that had the potential to change the course of the First World War.

Not only wasn't an important turning the First World War.

Not only wasn't an important turning point in World War I,

but it was also one of the first successful signal

intelligence operations in world history.

Learn more about the Zimmerman telegram

on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. This episode is sponsored by audible.com. My audiobook recommendation today is The Zimmerman

telegram by Barbara

Tuckman. In the dark winter of 1917 as World War I was deadlocked,

Britain knew that Europe could be saved only if the United States joined the

war. But President Wilson remained unshakable in his neutrality.

Then with a single stroke, the tool to propel America into the war came into a quiet British

office.

You can get a free one month trial Audible and two free audio books by going to

Audible Trial.com slash Everything Everywhere or by clicking on the link in the show notes.

To give some background, the United States

studiously tried to stay out of World War I.

In fact, it pretty much had been a standing policy

to avoid European wars since the country was founded.

George Washington said in his farewell address, quote,

It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world."

...