In Short:
Worked as the German Foreign Secretary during 1916-17 (mid World War 1), during which time he sent the Zimmermann Note.Dates:
Born: 5 October 1864
Died: 6 June 1940
Arthur Zimmermann:
Born in Marggrabowa, East Prussia (now called Olecko and in Poland), Zimmermann followed a career in the German civil service, moving to the diplomatic branch in 1905. By 1913 he had a major role thanks partly to the Foreign Secretary, Gottlieb von Jagow, who left much of the face to face negotiations and meetings to Zimmermann. Indeed, Arthur was officially acting as Foreign Secretary alongside German Emperor Wilhelm II and Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg in 1914 when the decision to support Austria-Hungary against Serbia, and thus Russia, was taken. Zimmermann himself drafted the telegram giving notice of Germany's commitment.Jagow remained Foreign Secretary until the middle of 1916, when he resigned in protest at the government's decision to resume unrestricted submarine warfare, which was likely to provoke a US declaration of war against Germany. Zimmermann was appointed his replacement on November 25, thanks partly to his talents, but mainly to his complete support of the military rulers – Hindenburg and Ludendorff – and the submarine policy. Reacting to the threat from America, Zimmermann proposed an alliance with both Mexico and Japan to create a ground war on US soil. However, the telegram of instructions he sent to his Mexican ambassador in March 1917 was intercepted by the British and passed onto the US: it became known as the Zimmermann Note, severely embarrassed Germany and contributed to the American public's support for war. For reasons that still baffle political spokesmen, Zimmermann publicly admitted to the telegram’s authenticity.
Zimmermann remained Foreign Secretary for a few more months, until he 'retired' from government in the August of 1917 (largely because there wasn't a job for him anymore). He lived until 1940 and died with Germany again at war, his career overshadowed by one short communication.
