Events that brought the end of the war.Events that brought the end of the war.

The Germans pushed the Allies within 50 miles of Paris, before they were stopped thanks to American assistance

July 1918 – Germany launched a final offensive against the Allies

The offensive was stopped and followed by a counterattack, turning the tide in the Allies favor

• At the same time, Germany in becoming increasingly exposed as the other Central powers start falling.

• Bulgaria gives up in September 1918, the Ottomans in October, the Austrian-Hungarians right after in November.

• This opened up Germany to the south and southeast. It was a losing situation and they signed an armistice on November 11, 1918… in the same carriage in which Germany dictated terms to France in 1871 after the Franco-Prussian War.

November 11, 1918November 11, 1918

On the 11th hour or the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an armistice (cease fire) was signed, ending conflict in the Great War.

Because of this, November 11th is celebrated around the world as “Armistice Day”, “Remembrance Day”, or in the U.S., “Veterans Day”.

Wilson’s Fourteen Wilson’s Fourteen PointsPoints

Woodrow Wilson wrote his own plan for peace, called the Fourteen Points.

In it, he suggests no blame for the Central Powers, self-determination, free trade, etc. for a peaceful world.

Wilson’s shorthand draft of his Fourteen Points, page

Treaty of Versailles

• While the armistice of 11/11/18 ended the fighting, the Treaty officially ended the war.

• Negotiations began in January and they took until June to hammer out.

• Neither Germany nor any other Central power was involved… the victors got to decide the terms. While other countries were involved, Britain and France were mainly responsible for the final terms, although Wilson was involved in the negotiations as well.

• The treaty is often seen as a classic example of a victors’ peace in which the loser is gotten revenge on.

The terms of the Treaty of Versailles.The terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Allies (other than Woodrow Wilson) demanded Germany be held responsible for the war

Germany blamed for the war and forced to pay huge reparations (Germany had to pay the Allies $33 billion in reparations over 30 years. That’s about $500 billion in today’s money and it was thought it would actually take Germany until 1984 to pay it all off).

The terms of the Treaty of Versailles.The terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Germany and Ottoman Empire forced to give up their colonies to Allies, as well as land in Europe

New nations created – Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland

The terms of the Treaty of Versailles.The terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Germany disarmed for 15 years-could not make or import new weapons-could not have submarines-could not have an air force

League of Nations would be established

It was a punishing peace and the Germans were absolutely humiliated by it. The purpose of the Treaty was to cripple Germany so badly that it could never again be a threat.

• This resentment continues and helps feed into the rise of the Nazis.

• The reparations demands also hamper the German economy and helps lead into the depression.

The impact of the war on the world. The impact of the war on the world.

8.5 million killed; 21 million wounded

Industry and agriculture in much of Europe struggled to rebuild

High inflation helped cause economic depression throughout Europe

Colonies in Asia/Africa found new European leadership rather than independence

A massive flu pandemic spread throughout the world in 1918, killing tens of millions worldwide