Texans were captivated by the events of World War I from the beginning of the conflict in August 1914. Germany continually attempted to involve Mexico in a war with the United States to divert concentration from Allied support. However, President Woodrow Wilson opposed American intervention in the war until Germany sent the Zimmermann Telegram, a coded letter intended for Mexico officials to encourage participation in the war against the Allied powers and their supporters. The threats present in the Zimmermann Telegram were clear enough for President Wilson to ask Congress to declare war against Germany on April 2, 1917. War was officially declared four days later.
Texans took an active part in the war, both before and during, through the Texas National Guard, military training camps, draft and voluntary enlistments, participation in the food-conservation program, planting war gardens, and by purchasing Liberty and Victory Bonds and War Savings Stamps. In total, almost two hundred thousand Texans joined the armed forces as well as hundreds of women serving as nurses.
The map below features a number of Official Texas Historical Markers that commemorate events, individuals and places associated with Texas in World War I. Click on the location dots to learn more about some of these stories. For more topics, use the Texas Historical Commission Atlas to search for other markers and designation by using its keyword function.
For more information on Texas in World War I, visit these sites: