End of WWI

Cost of War Fare

November 11, 1918: Armistice Agreement to end fighting, like a treaty

Human casualties of 8.5 million 17 million wounded Factories, homes, buildings destroyed Nations had tremendous war debts to repay

Took out huge loans, sold bonds to finance

Tripe Entente (Allies) Deaths

Triple Alliance (Central) Deaths

Treaty of Versailles

The “Big Three” drew up the treaty David Lloyd George (representing GB)

Georges Clemenceau (France)

Woodrow Wilson (U.S.)

Treaty of Versailles The Allies blamed Germany for the start of and

severity of the war Why?

Militarism (building up armaments which created tension) Trigger Happy

Declaring war on Russia was seen as unnecessary Conflict between Austria/Hungary and Serbia could have been

contained to Balkan region

Russia was not intended to launch full war on Austria/Hungary – only support Serbia with money and arms. When Germany declared war, then a true war was launched…

Treaty of Versailles

Written at the Paris Peace Conference Boundaries/sovereignty restored and created Germany had to pay 33 billion dollars in reparations German military given size limitations

Because of militarism

Took away Germanys overseas territories Because of imperialism

Additional results of war….

Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points Blueprint for peace negotiations

Included ideas of freedom of the seas, open trade, removal of economic barriers

League of Nations Included 40 nations

These nations agreed to negotiate disputes rather than resort to war

U.S. refused to join the League (did not want to commit to being involved in European tensions)

Before….After….

Results that will haunt….

Germans are extremely upset with Treaty of Versailles They were exceptionally nationalistic

Felt like a little kid getting spanked. Didn’t think it was justified.

Economy was destroyed Had to pay such big reparations, they had no money to rebuild

themselves

No one helped them rebuild No one helped them. They felt isolated – no one cares

What will happen…

Sense of German unity (why us? We need to band together! Help each other because no one else will help us! Long live Germany! We will survive!)

Will lead to Fascism (right wing, conservative – go back to traditional ways – reactionary!)

They need a strong leader. Someone to help life their spirits, rebuild their country and their economy, someone who can punish those who have harmed us…..

Adolf Hitler

Activity

Read Wilson’s 14 Points on page 52

For each point identify if you believe they will work or not. Support your inference with past historical evidence

If history repeats itself, identify when it first happened

Exit Ticket What terms were present in the Treaty of Versailles?

Germany had to pay huge reparations, lost colonies, military downsized

What is an armistice? Agreement to end fighting

Why did the U.S. Not join the league of nations? Did not want to commit to involvement in European

problems