The Last Two Years of WWI

America’s Entrance to the War On May 7, 1915, a German submarine sank the unarmed British liner Lusitania The incident killed 128 Americans and quickly raised the United State’s hostility towards Germany. The United States official entrance into the war occurred in 1917, when Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare that interfered with foreign trade.

Funeral of Lusitania Victims

United States Effect on the War In the two years that the U.S. was involved, the size of the American army jumped from 200,000 in early 1917, to over 4 million by the end of the war. Within two years, the Allies had neutralized the Axis forces and the war had ended.

Key Events of the Last Two Years French soldiers mutiny against their leadership 50,000 soldiers involved French censorship was so great, that the Germans did not find out until after the war and could not take advantage

The Third Battle of Ypres Meticulously planned, The Third Ypres was launched on July 31, 1917 and continued until the fall of Passchendaele village on November 6, 1917. The offensive resulted in gains for the Allies but was by no means the breakthrough they intended for, and gains that were made came at a great cost to human life. The final great battle of attrition of the war. 700,000 total casualties

America’s Victory The Meuse-Argonne offensive, launched on September 26, 1918. John J. Pershing hurled some 1.2 million "doughboys" into the Meuse-Argonne attack, and though their inexperience produced appalling casualties, their sheer quantity finally broke the German resistance. Germany quickly realized it could not hold out against the western front.

Paris Peace Conference Meeting of Allied Powers (No Central Powers) to determine post-war arrangements. Georges Clemenceau, France Lloyd George, Great Britain Woodrow Wilson, United States British blockade created urgency to make arrangements Threatened to restart war if treaties were not followed

Treaty of Versailles June 28, 1919 Purpose: decrease military potential of Central powers Conditions for Germany: Accept responsibility and guilt for starting the war Not allowed to have navy or air force and an army of only 100,000 No union with Austria Pay for cost of war and pay reparations to Allies in either money or goods such as land

Additional Allied Treaties Treaty of Neuilly (1919)- Bulgaria ceeded portions of territory Treaty of St. Germain (1919) and Treaty of Trianon ( 1920)- Allies recognize the break-up of Austrian-Hungarian Empire Treaty of Sevres (1920)- end of Ottoman Empire and led to foreign control of that region Treaty of Lausanne (1923)- Allied powers recognized Republic of Turkey as separate entity from Ottoman Empire

Lasting Effects Deaths War conflicts killed at least 15 million people and wounded 20 million Millions more died in following years from starvation, malnutrition, diseases

Europe Prior to War, 1914

Europe After War, 1919