The War Ends?

Russia Withdraws Dec 1917: Bolsheviks rebel in Russia and take over  5.5 million Russian soldiers wounded or killed  Vladimir Lenin  Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Russia signs a peace with Germany Germans shift full attention to France

Vladimir Lenin His early years  exiled to Siberia in 1897 Committed to class struggle and revolution Bolshevik Party renamed Communist Party in March 1918

Why did America enter WWI?

Here Come the Yanks! Why? Stronger ties to the Allies (Heritage & Economics) Germans declaring unrestricted submarine warfare May 7th, 1915: British passenger ship, Lusitania sunk (killing Americans) February, 1917: The Zimmerman Note April 2, 1917: President Wilson asks Congress to declare war  Wilson: “Make the World Safe for Democracy”

The Lusitania

Zimmerman Note

Wilson Addressing Congress

The Central Powers Collapse Germans launch 2nd attack near the Marne River. Allies counter with the help of 140,000 U.S. troops (Doughboys)

Second Battle of Marne July-August 1918 Turning point of the war  defeated Germans  Allies begin to advance on the Western Front German commanders believed war was lost

American Gunners in the Argonne Forrest

GERMAN EAGLE (to German Dove): "Here, carry on for a bit, will you I'm feeling rather run down."

1918 Flu Pandemic: Depletes All Armies 50,000,000 – 100,000,000 died

Germany Collapses and the Aftermath Nov. 3, 1918: Austria-Hungary surrenders German troops rebel  too exhausted to fight Nov. 9 Socialist leaders seize Berlin and Kaiser gives up throne Nov. 11 at 11pm armistice signed. World War I ends 22 million dead costing about $338 billion, 48K dead US and 200K wounded

Final Toll of War Involved 30 nations 9 million soldiers died 15 million died due to starvation and disease 20 million wounded 10 million refugees Estimated cost - $350 billion 22 million dead costing about $338 billion, 48K dead US and 200K wounded

9,000,000 Dead

Final Toll of War

The Peace Conference Russia and Central Powers left out “Big Four”: Clemenceau- France George- Britain Orlando- Italy Wilson – U.S. Wilson gives up most of 14 points to keep League of Nations The Big Four

Wilson’s 14 Points No secret treaties (1) Freedom of the seas (2) Tariffs among nations should be lowered (3) Arms should be reduced (4) Colonial policies should consider the interests of colonial people (5) Points #6-13 deal with self-determination  let the people decide on their government Point #14 wanted the creation of the League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles The Great Hall in Palace of Versailles (France) June 28th, 1919 9 New nations (Poland, Czech., Yugoslavia) Germany returns Alsace-Lorraine to France Germany’s army reduced to 100,000 Germany pay $33 billion in war reparations Germany sign war guilt clause

Palace of Versailles

Weaknesses of the Treaty Germany: Humiliated Germany War Guilt Clause (not necessarily true) War Reparation - $33 Billion Gov prints off more money to pay off reparation Leads to inflation and depression hits Lost Territory (Alsace-Lorraine to France) Stripped of colonial possessions Disarmament (limited to 100,000 man army

Weaknesses of the Treaty Russia Italy Lost more territory than anymore Formation of many independent nations in eastern Europe Southeast Asia Denied self-determination (power or ability to make a decision for oneself without influence from outside) Ho Chi Minh seeking creation of a republic in Vietnam Thrown out of the conference Did not receive territory it had wanted A.H. territory to the Northeast Reason for them jumping to the Allied powers in 1915

Compare and Contrast Treaty of Versailles How does your group’s treaty differ from the real Treaty of Versailles? Was it difficult to make a decision deciding the fate of Germany? What country was noticeably not represented in your conference? Why do you think this happened? What impact might this have?

Consequences of the War Anti-immigrant/radical sentiments increase (RED SCARE!!!) U.S. emerges as great industrial power Congress rejects the League of Nations Settlements at Versailles was a “peace built on quicksand” Political instability in Europe would lead to WWII