jjares reviewed Mexico and the World Wars: The History of Germany?s Efforts to Involve Mexico in World War I and World War II on + 3270 more book reviews
This is a riveting explanation of some of the tragic and troublesome relations between the US and their southern neighbor, Mexico in the early 20th century. In the spirit of friendly relations, these issues are not usually discussed in this day and time. Therefore, they are really interesting, when one can hear both sides of the difficulties, as this book offers its readers.
The opening pages disclose to readers war machinery innovations that changed the face of battle during the two world wars. Machine guns fed by bullet belts, flame throwers, poison gas, tanks, and even airplanes joined in the fighting. At the beginning of the world wars, defensive weapons were better than offensive weapons, with their barbed wire and defensive positions. This book makes a point that calvary, the backbone of war in previous conflicts, were virtually worthless against tanks and airplanes.
Otto Bismark hoped to run an invasion from Mexico, not once but several times. He was hoping to use Mexico's ill feelings toward the US to form a German-Mexican coalition that, if it were successful, would reward Mexico with territories they'd lost in 1847 (namely, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico). Of course, Germany understood Mexico had no chance of winning, Bismark wanted to buy time. If the US were busy with Mexico, Germany would have more time to quell the conflict in Europe. Then Germany could negotiate peace from a strong position.
This book outlines the actions of Pancho Villa, General Pershing, and the Zimmerman telegram in America's troubled relationship with Mexico. British code breakers passed on to the Americans, a secret diplomatic communication from the German Foreign Office in January 1917. It proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico. The Germans promised Mexico spoils for their assistance -- the return of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Fortunately, Mexico thought they were kidding. Mexico had just finished years of devastating civil war and they were in no position to fight with the US. There were still pockets of resistance in Mexico and if they started a war with America, Mexican rebels would take advantage of the situation to destabilize Mexico. In April, the Mexican government turned down the offer.
After WWI, this book clearly shows why it was only an 'armistice for 20 years.' The enraged countries took too strong actions against Germany, leading to the government's overthrow and Hitler's rise.
The second world war would be more subtle in Germany's move to indoctrinate corrupt Mexican politicians in the value of Germany's ideals. They also imported drugs into Mexico and America to control people. American oil companies had an ugly past in Mexico. When Mexico took over their own oil (away from American and British companies), they were sitting pretty to sell their oil to the powers who were gearing up for World War II. Because of poor treatment, Mexico sold most of its oil and raw materials to Germany.
They used propaganda and newspaper articles to remind Mexicans of the American's poor treatment of them over the generations. They also painted the Germans as benevolent and supportive of Mexico's negative feelings about America.
This is an eye-opening study of something that is not discussed today. I learned a great deal in this eBook.
The opening pages disclose to readers war machinery innovations that changed the face of battle during the two world wars. Machine guns fed by bullet belts, flame throwers, poison gas, tanks, and even airplanes joined in the fighting. At the beginning of the world wars, defensive weapons were better than offensive weapons, with their barbed wire and defensive positions. This book makes a point that calvary, the backbone of war in previous conflicts, were virtually worthless against tanks and airplanes.
Otto Bismark hoped to run an invasion from Mexico, not once but several times. He was hoping to use Mexico's ill feelings toward the US to form a German-Mexican coalition that, if it were successful, would reward Mexico with territories they'd lost in 1847 (namely, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico). Of course, Germany understood Mexico had no chance of winning, Bismark wanted to buy time. If the US were busy with Mexico, Germany would have more time to quell the conflict in Europe. Then Germany could negotiate peace from a strong position.
This book outlines the actions of Pancho Villa, General Pershing, and the Zimmerman telegram in America's troubled relationship with Mexico. British code breakers passed on to the Americans, a secret diplomatic communication from the German Foreign Office in January 1917. It proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico. The Germans promised Mexico spoils for their assistance -- the return of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Fortunately, Mexico thought they were kidding. Mexico had just finished years of devastating civil war and they were in no position to fight with the US. There were still pockets of resistance in Mexico and if they started a war with America, Mexican rebels would take advantage of the situation to destabilize Mexico. In April, the Mexican government turned down the offer.
After WWI, this book clearly shows why it was only an 'armistice for 20 years.' The enraged countries took too strong actions against Germany, leading to the government's overthrow and Hitler's rise.
The second world war would be more subtle in Germany's move to indoctrinate corrupt Mexican politicians in the value of Germany's ideals. They also imported drugs into Mexico and America to control people. American oil companies had an ugly past in Mexico. When Mexico took over their own oil (away from American and British companies), they were sitting pretty to sell their oil to the powers who were gearing up for World War II. Because of poor treatment, Mexico sold most of its oil and raw materials to Germany.
They used propaganda and newspaper articles to remind Mexicans of the American's poor treatment of them over the generations. They also painted the Germans as benevolent and supportive of Mexico's negative feelings about America.
This is an eye-opening study of something that is not discussed today. I learned a great deal in this eBook.
