End of the War

Central Powers collapse Two important events changed the direction of the war in 1917: Russian revolution Czar Nicholas abdicated in March 1917 Oct 1917 the Russian provisional government was overthrown by the Bolsheviks / Led by Lenin The Bolsheviks signed a peace treaty with Germany German troops can move to battle on Western Front USA enters the war

America Enters War Because of the unrestricted U-Boat attacks the US enters the war Some sources suggest that it was the sinking of the Lusitania that prompted the US the join, but they actually joined two years after the sinking Woodrow Wilson

The Hundred Days The final months of the war were known as the “100 Days” The Canadians, led by Arthur Currie helped force the Germans east four Canadian Divisions fought more than 50 German divisions in the field, and were in action almost every day of that hundred day period, including the last moments of the war when the final casualty was a Canadian As the Germans fled, they destroyed much of France’s countryside/ further angering the French The German Kaiser fled to Holland Armistice was signed Nov 11, 1918 / 11th month, 11th day, 11th hour - Remembrance day

Fighting until the end “After further heavy fighting, Canadians helped capture the town of Cambrai and by October 11 the Corps had reached the Canal de la Sensée. This was the last action taken by the Corps as a whole but the individual Canadian divisions continued to fight, overcoming stiff German resistance and helping capture Mont Houy and Valenciennes by the beginning of November.” – from

Terms of Treaty of Versailles W.A.R. II( L’s) W. War Guilt - the Germany had to assume guilt for starting war A. Armed Forces - German army restricted to men / No U- boats/ No airforce R. Reparations - Germany had to pay about 30 Billion dollars l. Lost Territories - Map of Europe redrawn / new country of Poland created/ Alsace and Lorraine given to France / Coal production

Canada joins the “big boys” Allies and new leader of Germany meet in Paris Treaty of Versailles sets the terms of Germany’s surrender and sets the scene for World War II Canada participates as a full member at the Paris Peace Conference / Not represented by Britain USA wanted the plan to emphasize forgiveness but France, Britain and Belgium wanted payback

Canada joins the “big boys” Canada participates as a full member at the Paris Peace Conference / Not represented by Britain Treaty of Versailles sets the terms of Germany’s surrender and sets the scene for World War II USA wanted the plan to emphasize forgiveness but France, Britain and Belgium wanted payback

War Guilt Clause – was it fair?

League of Nations Purpose? Help maintain peace and security in the world Protect smaller nations from being victimized by more powerful countries Collective security- if one member state of the League is under attack, all members must fight against aggressor. Not everyone agreed to the League of Nations small powers got the most benefit France and Britain wanted to concentrate on imperialism, but still agreed to the idea Americans did not join, even though their president was the one that created it (Isolationist policy – staying away from foreign influence, wanted freedom in own affairs)

League of Nations’ Limitations Britain, France, Canada and other smaller nations join Cooperation was difficult--many feared that the L.O.N. would hamper imperialism No military - if no military force, so how can it help nations being attacked? Economic sanctions only: League could punish aggressive nation (attacker) by using economic sanctions (penalties) against it. Wilson(American President) had a stroke and was unable to push for the League Organization was weakened without American presence

Aftermath of War Starvation throughout Europe Crops / transportation ruined Spanish Flu swept across Europe and was carried home to Canada by soldiers 22 million died world wide / more than WW I Canadians died