Write four to five sentences supporting the inference that the British waited until they were sure the telegram would encourage the US to enter the war. Identify at least two pieces of evidence from the passage, and explain how that evidence leads to the inference.

Answer:

Based on the text, the British strategically delayed sharing the Zimmerman telegram to ensure it would maximize American public outrage and lead to a declaration of war. One piece of evidence is that the British held the information for several weeks, waiting for a time when Germany's actions, such as the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare, had already soured U.S. relations. Another piece of evidence is that they waited until they could provide a version of the telegram that wouldn't reveal their own intelligence-gathering methods, which ensured the U.S. focused on the threat from Germany rather than British spying. This careful timing suggests the British were less concerned with the immediate threat to Mexico and more concerned with the long-term goal of bringing the United States into the conflict as an ally.