World War I World War I [Conclusion and Aftermath][Conclusion and Aftermath]

The War comes to a CloseThe War comes to a Close-Factors contributing to the end of the warFactors contributing to the end of the war

- Russia withdraws from the WarRussia withdraws from the War-Communist overthrow of the Russian czar led to the treaty of Communist overthrow of the Russian czar led to the treaty of Brest-Litovsk between Russia and GermanyBrest-Litovsk between Russia and Germany

- US Entry into the warUS Entry into the war-Caused by German U-Boat warfare, Zimmerman letterCaused by German U-Boat warfare, Zimmerman letter

- Collapsing German EconomyCollapsing German Economy-Riots and uprisings in Germany lead to the fall of the Kaiser.Riots and uprisings in Germany lead to the fall of the Kaiser.

The Costs of WarThe Costs of War-Human LifeHuman Life

-8.5 Million dead, double that number were wounded8.5 Million dead, double that number were wounded-1918 – flu pandemic – killing 20 million people worldwide1918 – flu pandemic – killing 20 million people worldwide

-Financial CostsFinancial Costs- Allies insisted the Central Power should pay Allies insisted the Central Power should pay reperationsreperations

-These are payments for damages done during the warThese are payments for damages done during the war

-Political TurmoilPolitical Turmoil- The governments of Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary and The governments of Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire had all collapsed.the Ottoman Empire had all collapsed.

Creating the Peace…and the seeds of Creating the Peace…and the seeds of future warfuture war

The Paris Peace ConferenceThe Paris Peace Conference– 1918 – The War Ends, but death continues1918 – The War Ends, but death continues

A flue pandemic kills more than 20 million worldwide.A flue pandemic kills more than 20 million worldwide.– Paris Peace ConferenceParis Peace Conference

Central Powers – See the end of the war as a ceasefire. They do Central Powers – See the end of the war as a ceasefire. They do not feel there is a true “winner” of the war.not feel there is a true “winner” of the war.

Allies – See the end of the war as victory and use the peace Allies – See the end of the war as victory and use the peace process as a chance to place blame on the Central Powers.process as a chance to place blame on the Central Powers.

– The Big ThreeThe Big Three Woodrow Wilson (US), David Lloyd George (Great Britain) Woodrow Wilson (US), David Lloyd George (Great Britain)

and Georges Clemenceau (France)and Georges Clemenceau (France) Wilson wanted all nations to have self determination and Wilson wanted all nations to have self determination and

democratic governments. Stressed his “Fourteen Points” democratic governments. Stressed his “Fourteen Points” which he felt should guide the process.which he felt should guide the process.

Wilson didn’t think it was wise to “blame” Germany for the Wilson didn’t think it was wise to “blame” Germany for the war.war.

He also pushed for the League of Nations (Like an early He also pushed for the League of Nations (Like an early United Nations) for United Nations) for collective securitycollective security

George Clemenceau wanted a weakened Germany that George Clemenceau wanted a weakened Germany that could never again threaten France.could never again threaten France.

David Lloyd George wanted to rebuild a Britain that David Lloyd George wanted to rebuild a Britain that would be a home “for heroes”.would be a home “for heroes”.

– Other national leaders, like that of Italy, demanded Other national leaders, like that of Italy, demanded their own rewards for aiding the Allies.their own rewards for aiding the Allies.

– Many other people wanted independent nations Many other people wanted independent nations created that they could rule over (like the Arabs and created that they could rule over (like the Arabs and the Jews).the Jews).

The Treaty of VersaillesThe Treaty of Versailles– Germany had to take full responsibility for the warGermany had to take full responsibility for the war– War reparations owed by Germany totaled $30 billionWar reparations owed by Germany totaled $30 billion

What cost $What cost $30,000,000,00030,000,000,000 in 1918 would cost in 1918 would cost $$425,491,369,846.57425,491,369,846.57 in in 2008. 2008.

– German military is capped in sizeGerman military is capped in size– The regions of Alsace and Lorraine are returned to The regions of Alsace and Lorraine are returned to

France (this will matter later for WWII)France (this will matter later for WWII)– All overseas German colonies are given to Allied All overseas German colonies are given to Allied

PowersPowers Germany signs because it has no choice.Germany signs because it has no choice.

– But it will resent this treatment, seeing itself as a victim But it will resent this treatment, seeing itself as a victim of the ‘peace’ process.of the ‘peace’ process.

In general, most nations were very unhappy with the In general, most nations were very unhappy with the Treaty.Treaty.

– Italy did not receive all the lands it was promised by the Allies.Italy did not receive all the lands it was promised by the Allies.– Japan resented Allied Powers refusal to recognize its claims in Japan resented Allied Powers refusal to recognize its claims in

China (Sino-Japanese War)China (Sino-Japanese War)– Russia resented having independent nations created (Poland, Russia resented having independent nations created (Poland,

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) on its old lands.Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) on its old lands.– Colonies who had helped the Allies against Germany received Colonies who had helped the Allies against Germany received

no help/recognition of independence. (India, the Arab tribes in no help/recognition of independence. (India, the Arab tribes in the Middle East.the Middle East.

– European nations simple took Central Power colonies for European nations simple took Central Power colonies for themselves.themselves.

The League of Nations is formed, but America’s own Senate The League of Nations is formed, but America’s own Senate refuses to join, seeing it as another way that America could refuses to join, seeing it as another way that America could become locked into MORE European conflicts.become locked into MORE European conflicts.