Ending World War I

1918 – US joins the Allies Why?

Russian Civil War Germany resumed Unrestricted Sub. War. Zimmermann Telegram

Impact Psychological boost to Allies Fresh troops War goods

VIDEO

Erich von Ludendorff

• Led German military operations

• Plans a big push to break stalemate on Western Front

• Stopped at 2nd Battle of the Marne

• Advised Germany to surrender (Sept)

GERMAN SURRENDER

Allies won’t accept surrender from autocratic imperialist Germany – Wilhelm II must step down

German sailors begin to mutiny, citizens protest to end war

Nov 9 – Wilhelm II leaves Germany Nov 11 – new German Dem Rep under

Freidrich Engel signed Armistice

Paris Peace Conference -Treaty of Versailles`

Versailles Overview 32 victorious countries met at the Palace of

Versailles (just outside Paris, France)

Main decisions were made by the so-called “Big Three” (Britain, France, USA)

Germany was not invited to the peace talks

NEGOTIATIONS Big Four

Pres. Wilson—U.S. David Lloyd George—

GB Clemenceau—France Orlando—Italy

Others Japan 28 lesser nations

The Big Three United States….Woodrow Wilson

Great Britain….David Lloyd George

France….George Clemenceau

IDEALISM v. SECURITY

U.S Post War World Wanted settlement to

ensure lasting peace Defeated countries

should be treated fairly Wilson’s “fourteen

points” included free trade & disarmament

League of Nations be set up to settle future disputes by promoting cooperation between countries

British Post War World British had lost many

citizens in the war British citizens wanted

Germany to pay for what they had done

PM felt a harsh treaty might cause bitterness that would cause Germany to seek revenge in the future

French Post War World Wanted to avoid another

war Thought Germany

should pay for starting the war & the damage caused in the war

He wanted to ensure that Germany was too weak to ever attack France again

Treaty of Versailles

Germany had to admit full responsibility for starting the war. This was Clause 231 - the infamous "War Guilt Clause".

Germany had to pay reparations, the bulk of which would go to France & Belgium to pay for the damage done to the infrastructure of both countries by the war. (Clause 232)

A League of Nations was set up to keep world peace.

Disarmament & Demilitarization

Punishing Germany Germany restricted from having an air force, the

army was not allowed tanks

German army reduced to 100,000 men

All German colonies taken away

Germany only allowed 6 naval ships and no submarines video

Territorial Changes

FR got Alsace & Lorraine from Ger

Many new nation from A-H Empire

Rhineland demilitarized

MANDATES

France Syria & Lebanon

Great Britain Palestine & Iraq

Versailles Treaty = League of Nations

60 Nations Settle disputes Mission -

prevent future war

Never has “teeth” because US doesn’t join

Results of WWI

• Involved sixty sovereign states• Overthrew four Empires (German Empire, Hapsburg Empire, Turkish Empire, Russian Empire)

• Gave birth to seven new nations• Took ten million combatant lives• Another 30 million were wounded• 1out of every 12 soldiers is wounded, missing in action, or killed

• Cost $350 Billion

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What are you views on Germany’s treatment at Versailles?