1. WWI in 1917

2. Zimmerman Telegram This was a coded telegram
Sent from German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmerman to German Ambassador in Mexico, Heinrich von Eckardt
It discussed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico

3. Arthur Zimmerman

4. Zimmerman Telegram
If Germany and the U.S. were at war, Mexico should attack southwestern U.S.
Also invited Japan to join in the fighting
The Mexican gov’t says no
The British intercept it and pass it to the U.S. and it is published in U.S. papers

5. The Telegram

6. U.S. Involvement
Germany continues its unrestricted submarine warfare policy
Sinks three American merchant ships
The U.S. declares war on Germany, April 6th 1917
However, it will take nearly a year to get sufficient troops to France

7. Thomas Edward Lawrence
Also known as Lawrence of Arabia
Worked for British military intelligence
He convinced Arab leaders to revolt against the Ottoman Empire
Helped capture key Middle Eastern cities: Damascus, Jerusalem
Tied down tens of thousands of Ottoman Empire troops in the Middle East

8. T.E. Lawrence

10. The Middle East in 1920

11. Russian Revolution
Tsar Nicholas II abdicates March 2nd, 1917 after his troops refuse to shoot on protestors
A provisional gov’t take over under Alexander Kerensky
A man named Lenin arrives in Russia in April 1917 (Germany sends him in on a train)
Russia wants out of World War One

12. Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia

13. Vladimir Lenin