end of war
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
The End of World War I
Stalemate
By 1917 both sides fighting defensive war
Neither could put together a massive attack
Defeatism in England, France
Mutinies in French, British armies
RussiaTerrible military defeats
Czar’s leadership lacking
November 1917 Revolution put Lenin and Bolsheviks in power
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk got Russia out of war with Germany
Russia gave up massive amounts of land
Germany’s Last Chance
Russia Surrenders to Germany, German troops move from Eastern to Western Front.
March 1918: MASSIVE frontal assault breaks through Allied trenches with specialized “Strosstuppen”
Strosstuppen=Assault Troops
New tactics
Fast moving
Lightly equipped
Heavily armed
Germany’s Down FallFood, supplies are low
Most soldiers are 14-16 years old or older than 50.
Americans help stop German advance at 2nd Battle of the Marne.
Germany Retreats
Armistice
An agreement to stop fighting before a formal treaty is reached
The 11th hour, of the 11th day, on the 11th month. (Nov 11th)
Germany agrees to surrender if President Wilson used his 14 Points to negotiate peace treaty
Wilson’s 14 PointsOutline measures to maintain peace after WWI
No secret alliances
Freedom of the seas
Free trade
Sovereignty for Belgium, former states of Russia and Austria-Hungary
Self determination
Paris Peace Conference“The Big Four”: United States (Woodrow Wilson), Great Britain (David Lloyd George), Italy (Vittorio Orlando), and France (Georges Clemenceau)
Russia, Germany, and German allies not represented at the conference
Paris Peace ConferencePre-conference vision of peace:France = revenge, securityGreat Britain = balance of powerItaly = territorial gainsUnited States = 14 Points, League of Nations
Treaty of VersaillesSigned June 28, 1919Germany forced to pay the Allies $33 billion in reparations over 30 yearsArticle 231 (“war guilt” clause) = sole responsibility for the war is placed on Germany’s shouldersGermany returns Allasace-Lorraine to France; French border extended to the west bank of the Rhine RiverGermany surrenders all of its overseas colonies in Africa and the Pacific
Treaty of VersaillesGermany is (a) forbidden to build or buy submarines or have an air force, (b) prohibited from importing or manufacturing weapons or war material, and (c) army is limited in size
Creation of a League of Nations to settle international disputes
Results
Map of Europe is radically changed
Results
Germany, Italy, Russian and Japan feel cheated by the terms of the final peaceUnited States turns away from international affairs (isolationism), refuses to join the League of NationsDissatisfaction with the treaty and worldwide depression in the 1930s sets the stage for a 2nd World War