15 Facts About Arthur Zimmermann

Arthur Zimmermann was State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the German Empire from 22 November 1916 until his resignation on 6 August 1917.

Arthur Zimmermann's name is associated with the Zimmermann Telegram during World War I He was closely involved in plans to support rebellions in Ireland and in India, and to assist the Bolsheviks to undermine Tsarist Russia.

Arthur Zimmermann was born in Marggrabowa, East Prussia, then in the Kingdom of Prussia.

Arthur Zimmermann arrived in China in 1896, and rose to the rank of consul in 1900.

Arthur Zimmermann was the first non-aristocrat to serve as foreign secretary.

Arthur Zimmermann later disavowed the name Kronrat since it was the Kaiser's opinion that was decisive in the discussion, but with which Bethmann Hollweg and Zimmermann concurred.

In late 1914, Arthur Zimmermann was visited by Roger Casement, the Irish revolutionary.

On 6 August 1917, Arthur Zimmermann resigned as foreign secretary and was succeeded by Richard von Kuhlmann.

Arthur Zimmermann's proposals included an agreement for a German alliance with Mexico, while Germany would still try to maintain a state of neutrality with the United States.

However, on 29 March 1917, Arthur Zimmermann gave a speech to the Reichstag confirming the text of the telegram and so put an end to all speculation as to its authenticity.

Arthur Zimmermann began that he had not written a letter to Carranza but had given instructions to the German ambassador via a "route that had appeared to him to be a safe one".

Arthur Zimmermann said that despite the submarine offensive, he had hoped that the USA would remain neutral.

Arthur Zimmermann's instructions were only to be carried out after the US declared war, and he believed his instructions to be "absolutely loyal as regards the US".

At several meetings with the Bavarian Nuncio Eugenio Pacelli and Uditore Schioppa, who were on a fact-finding mission, Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg and Arthur Zimmermann outlined their plans.

In March 1917, with the imminent collapse of the Russian front, Arthur Zimmermann took steps to promote Peace in the East with the Russians, a proposal that was of immense importance to Germany at the time.