End Of World War I Adapted from Mr. Wells Harold E. Winkler Middle School

Background The Lusitania M.A.I.N. “The Spark” Selective Service Act Zimmerman Telegram Selective Service Act Pershing & the “Doughboys” Allied Victory M.A.I.N. “The Spark” Western Front Trench Warfare

War on the Eastern Front The Eastern Front of World War I was Germany v. Russia. This front was much longer than the Western Front… it spanned almost 1,000 miles ! Trench warfare did not develop here, rather open field combat. Resulted in high casualties on both sides.

War on the Eastern Front Russia was not as industrialized as other nations and did not have the advanced weaponry of Germany. Germany also controlled the Baltic Sea (see map), so Russia could not get weapons, or reinforcements from France and Great Britain. Result: Suffered heavy losses in battles. Example: 30,000 killed at the Battle of Tannenberg (1914)

Background

War on the Eastern Front By 1917: Russian casualties had reached 1.7 million soldiers killed, missing, and/or deserted.

The Russian Revolution The Russian economy collapsed due to the strain of war. Food shortages led to civil unrest in cities across Russia. December 1917: The Bolshevik Rebellion takes hold… Russia signs the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany and withdraws from World War I… this allows Germany to focus on the Western Front only. Vladimir Lenin (Revolutionist)

Germany Collapses By the end of July, 1918 the front was moving in the opposite direction, propelled by a powerful and coordinated counter-attack by the three Allied armies Germany finally faced defeat! A revolution in Germany forced Kaiser Wilhelm II into exile. Nov. 11th, 1918 @ 11 p.m. - Germany signs armistice (cease-fire)

U.S. Home Front Celebrates!

Paris Peace Conference 1919 Diplomats from over 32 countries attended. Russia and the Central Powers were not invited… The “Big Four” included: 1. Georges Clemenceau – France 2. Woodrow Wilson – United States 3. David Lloyd George – Great Britain 4. Vittorio Orlando – Italy (Italy’s experience in WWI was disastrous and ended with the insult of her ‘reward’ at the Versailles Settlement in 1919/they leave the peace conference unsatisfied)

Wilson’s 14 Points No secret treaties Freedom of the seas Tariffs among nations should be lowered Arms should be reduced Colonial policies should consider the interests of colonial people thru 13. deals with self-determination (let people decide on their government 14. Creation of a League of Nations - It was the first international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace…

Treaty of Versailles 9 new nations created. Germany punished… severely!!! Germany forced to return land to France. Germany’s military reduced to 100,000 soldiers. Germany forced to sign war guilt clause. Germany had to pay $33 billion in war reparations.

Versailles Settlement in Europe 1919

Weaknesses of the Treaty Germany is humiliated and soon goes into economic depression… turns to Adolf Hitler as leader of the country. Russia is ignored… leads to growth of Communism and extreme nationalism in Russia.