This cartoon illustrates the “Zimmerman note” which is an order from Germany stating that “Germany plans to attack the United States. And presenting a proposal an alliance to Mexico, to go to war with Germans, make peace together, offering financial support to Mexico, and regain their former territory in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. “(Michael Duffy 2000-07)
The note was intercepted by British cryptographers. The revelation of its contents in the American press caused public outrage that contributed to the United States’ declaration of war against Germany. (Singh, 2001)
The U.S president at this time is Woodrow Wilson that after the note was deciphered president Wilson said “It is a dreadful thing to lead the peaceful people to war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself is hanging in the balance. But one’s right is more important than peace, and we will fight for the things we have hold dearly in our hearts, for democracy” (Fleming 2003)
Symbolism can be observed in the cartoon. One of which is the German soldier wearing a pointed helmet as the same helmet worn by Otto Von Bismarck a great German strategist in the art of war. (John Charmley 1999) This cartoon affected many people especially Mexicans who want to take over the former territory but in the process the thought would not be possible because, Germany’s “financial aid” would be useless. Because Mexico can not use it to get arms or other war supplies, because the United States was the only sizeable arms manufacturer in America. And the Germans would disagree to the thought of the cartoon for it was suppose to be a secret pact between Mexico and Germany to take over the United States.
The significant words in this cartoon are”join with Germany” and “a bit of United States” which represents an incentive for Mexico to join Germany. This cartoon can be described “deceitful” due to the act of recruitment by using generous offers; it is like the devil tempting man to commit sin. The cartoon can also be described as “mischievous” because of the harm that could be done to Mexico and America and expresses an “insidious” behavior of the German soldier. The act of whispering of the German soldier also symbolizes “insidiousness” of the Germans and the Mexican thinking which symbolizes Mexico especially Venustiano Carranza the president of Mexico thinking of the benefit in being an ally of Germany. (Amanda Layfield 2008) The message of this cartoon is that America is up against a very crafty opponent that everyone should be aware that the enemy is on its move and because of that the people should be ready. Mexico would agree to this cartoon because they are the one being recruited and the Germans would disagree because the “Zimmerman note” was suppose to be a secret.
References
John Charmley, Splendid Isolation? Britain, the Balance of Power and the
Origins ofthe First World War, Book Review 1999 http://www.history.ac.uk/ihr/Focus/War/reviews/revotteThomas.html (Acceassed May 4, 2008)
Simon Singh, chapter 3 of The Code Book , 2001
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Park/8386/zman.htm (accessed May 4, 2008)
Thosmas Fleming, The Illusion of Victory: America in World War I, Vol. 9, No. 3
2003http://mises.org/misesreview_detail.aspx?control=256#_ftnref1 (accessed May 4 2008)
Venustiano Carranza, Liberal Mexican Political Leader(1859- 1920)
http://historicaltextarchive.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=535 (accessed May 4, 2008)
