Why didn't Mexico side with the Central Powers and what would happen if they did?

RNG

Banned
Why didn't Mexico take up the Germany's offer, Zimmerman Telegram, and invade America? There was a civil war in Mexico between 1910 and 1920. If this is why they didn't invade, what were the causes of the civil war and could they be changed in order for Mexico to be in a position to invade America? America gradually got stronger during their neutral status during World War One, if the timing of the Telegram, January 1917 in OTL, be earlier, meaning America and Mexico might be on par and a invasion a likely opportunity for Mexico? What would the implication of a invasion be? How would it affect World War One? Which side is most likely to win as a result, and what would a post war world look like? Depending on who won would a another war be likely in the future? What about the rise of communism and fascism, would they still happen, and if where? What you think?
 
Why didn't Mexico take up the Germany's offer, Zimmerman Telegram, and invade America? There was a civil war in Mexico between 1910 and 1920. If this is why they didn't invade, what were the causes of the civil war and could they be changed in order for Mexico to be in a position to invade America? America gradually got stronger during their neutral status during World War One, if the timing of the Telegram, January 1917 in OTL, be earlier, meaning America and Mexico might be on par and a invasion a likely opportunity for Mexico? What would the implication of a invasion be? How would it affect World War One? Which side is most likely to win as a result, and what would a post war world look like? Depending on who won would a another war be likely in the future? What about the rise of communism and fascism, would they still happen, and if where? What you think?

While I'm sure in a perfect world the Mexicans would have loved to get territory (back) from the US, they were no match for the United States militarily and they knew it.
 
Because Mexico lost near half their territory the last time they tangled with the US, and the odds are far worse for them in 1917 than they were in 1845. In 1910 the US had ~80,000 soldiers in the Army and ~10,000 Marines, all volunteer, while Mexico had ~25,000 soldiers total, ~80% conscript, the US Navy was in the top 5 in the world, Mexico had no modern warships and only ~12 total. Mexico is basically a speed bump to the US, and they know it

Mexico launching an invasion means a US puppet government gets put into place and they may lose some territory, and have to pay an indemnity. But they probably manage to torch their oil fields so the Entente suffers and oil crunch. WWI lasts slightly longer, US suffers more casualties and Versailles may be harsher Edit: unless Zimmerman is earlier than OTL, the earlier the note the shorter the war and more US casualties, US turns out more like Europe
 
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It may seem strange that the Germans could ever believe that the Mexicans would accept their proposal in the Zimmerman Telegram, given that Mexico was obviously no match for the US militarily. However, perhaps they knew that Carranza (or at the very least *carrancistas*) supported the "Plan de San Diego" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_of_San_Diego raids into Texas, and mistakenly thought that meant he was really intent on a *Reconquista.*

If they did, they of course misjudged Carranza entirely. Carranza's aim was not to reconquer the Southwest US but to get US diplomatic recognition and arms--and he succeeded! See my explanation at https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...d-the-plan-de-san-diego.420152/#post-15118102
 
It may seem strange that the Germans could ever believe that the Mexicans would accept their proposal in the Zimmerman Telegram, given that Mexico was obviously no match for the US militarily. However, perhaps they knew that Carranza (or at the very least *carrancistas*) supported the "Plan de San Diego" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_of_San_Diego raids into Texas, and mistakenly thought that meant he was really intent on a *Reconquista.*

If they did, they of course misjudged Carranza entirely. Carranza's aim was not to reconquer the Southwest US but to get US diplomatic recognition and arms--and he succeeded! See my explanation at https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...d-the-plan-de-san-diego.420152/#post-15118102

TBH I think the Germans believed the US was going to enter the war soon anyway and it was a Hail Mary pass to try and get Mexico to buy them some time before the US' full force was brought to bear on them. They had to know how unlikely it was they would do anything.
 
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Yes they were no match in the long run for a war with the United States. But the rah rah we can beat you guys, which was true, doesn't reflect the more level headed realists who may have been in Mexico. I speak of the facts. Mexico was in the tail end of a long and bloody revolution of their own. The idea that may have crossed the mind of some, like the Germans, that Mexicans may come together for a common goal of regaining former territory, or the fact the US had troops, not necessarily welcomed in Mexico attempting to capture Pancho Villa, and could be driven out do not outweigh the reality that they were in no condition to go to war with anyone. If anything, if war was declared on the US, the US would have encouraged the continuation of the the Revolution by encouraging anti-government factions via aide to continue the fight, thus disrupting any attempt to fight a war on its northern border.

Mexico whatever the bait, was tired of fighting and was not interested. And the Zimmermann Telegram, can you say No Secret Treaties, (Wilson's 14 Points,) would likely have remained unknown if not for the British intercepting the message, handing it to the US, whom they were desperately trying to get into the war on their side, and gave Wilson and other pro-ally/anti Germans in the US the spark needed to Declare war and enter on the side of the Allies.
 

Puzzle

Donor
TBH I think the Germans believed the US was going to enter the war soon anyway it was a Hail Mary pass to try and get Mexico to buy them some time before the US' full force was brought to bear on them. They had to know how unlikely it was they would do anything.
Yeah, there was really no downside assuming it wasn't intercepted. Worst case the Germans are in the exact same position, best case the US gets distracted by a war on its borders.
 
TBH I think the Germans believed the US was going to enter the war soon anyway it was a Hail Mary pass to try and get Mexico to buy them some time before the US' full force was brought to bear on them. They had to know how unlikely it was they would do anything.
I agree. It was a "Hail Mary." The discovery of the Zimmermann Telegram only sped up the entry of the United States into the conflict.

But Mexico in any scenario, was not in a position to fight a war with any country, let alone the United States, not after 7 years of revolutionary warfare of its own.
 

Puzzle

Donor
But Mexico in any scenario, was not in a position to fight a war with any country, let alone the United States, not after 7 years of revolutionary warfare of its own.
Also, if a Mexico/US conflict was plausible there's a decent chance that the US army would be in better pre-war shape. It's hardly guaranteed, politicians are just as shortsighted and blinkered as the rest of us, but if Mexico goes Prussian and starts building an army that's a credible threat the US would have to react.
 
Also, if a Mexico/US conflict was plausible there's a decent chance that the US army would be in better pre-war shape. It's hardly guaranteed, politicians are just as shortsighted and blinkered as the rest of us, but if Mexico goes Prussian and starts building an army that's a credible threat the US would have to react.
That is true, but the fact still remains that Mexico with seven years of a civil war amongst themselves with varying Revolutionary factions would not have been able to create a "Prussian" style military as any military and political movements during those seven years were geared more toward fighting each other, not the colossus of the north.
 

Jack Brisco

Banned
I'll echo what some others have said, to a certain extent.

Mexico surely must have known there was absolutely no way Germany could send anything to help them against the USA. Had they joined the Central Powers, very likely there would have been a US invasion, and then a US puppet government in Mexico City.

Nope, just a lose-lose for Mexico any way you cut it.
 

Puzzle

Donor
That is true, but the fact still remains that Mexico with seven years of a civil war amongst themselves with varying Revolutionary factions would not have been able to create a "Prussian" style military as any military and political movements during those seven years were geared more toward fighting each other, not the colossus of the north.
Presumably there’d be a POD that put Mexico in better shape, but yes in our history they wouldn’t have a shot.
 
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