The Aftermath of WWI

The End of World War I Strikes and demonstrations in Berlin and other cities protest effects of war. The British naval blockade of German ports = 1000s starving In Oct 1918 Ludendorff resigned and German navy mutinied. Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany abdicated on Nov. 9th 1918 . On 11th November the leaders of both sides held a meeting in Ferdinand Foch's railway carriage headquarters at Compiegne. The Armistice was signed at 6am and came into force five hours later.

The Paris Conference World War I ended in 1918, on 11/11 at 11am. In 1919, Lloyd George of England, Orlando of Italy, Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson from the US met to discuss how Germany was to be made to pay for the damage world war one had caused. Their conference was called The Paris Conference. Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany was not invited.

The BIG 4 Allied power leaders who met after WWI at the Paris Peace Conference at the start of 1919. From left: Vittorio Emanuele Orlando (Italy), David Lloyd George (Britain), Georges Clemenceau (France) of France and Woodrow Wilson (US)

The Big 4 Big 4 Position Focus Wilson: President Self-determination of nations; no German punishment George: Prime Minister Punish Germany (but not destroy economy/government) Orlando: Land as repayment (Wilson opposed) Clemenceau: Prime Minister & Minister of War More punishment for Germany

David Lloyd George was asked how he did at the Conference. He replied: "I think I did as well as might be expected, seated as I was between Jesus Christ [Wilson] and Napoleon Bonaparte [Clemenceau]."

Wilson’s 14 Points First delivered to Congress in January 1918, Woodrow Wilson created his Fourteen Points as a skeleton for the peace terms with Germany following World War I. Eventually, the Big 4 altered the Fourteen Point plan and finished with the Treaty of Versailles.  

Not everyone was a fan of Wilson’s 14 Points… “Fourteen? The good Lord had only ten.” – Georges Clemenceau

The Paris Conference President Wilson proposed a 14 point plan that he believed would bring stability to Europe, The French, however, were upset with Germany and felt Wilson’s proposal did not punish them enough. France pushed for a harsher treaty. In the end, the Treaty of Versailles was agreed upon. There were 440 clauses in the final treaty. The first 26 clauses established the League of Nations, while the remaining clauses were the countries’ punishments for causing the war.

The Treaty of Versailles Among the clauses: War Guilt clause – Germany to accept blame for starting the war and pay Reparations (payment for losses due to war). In the end, Germany had to pay over $64 billion.   Military Clauses – Army reduced to 100,000 men and no tanks; Navy reduced to 6 ships and no submarines; Rhineland: free from military personnel and weapons Territorial Clauses – Anschluss (no more uniting with Austria); Return land to countries; League of Nations took control over German colonies Germany was not invited to the conference. Instead, they were forced to accept the terms and sign the treaty. They began payments on the reparations, but the total amount was cut in half in 1929. The payments stopped when Hitler took control. In _____, Germany officially completed the payment. 2010

How do you think Germany felt about the treaty? Partner Discussion How do you think Germany felt about the treaty? What, in your opinion, is the most fair part of the treaty? What is the least fair?

Which character represents Germany? How do you know that? Partner Discussion Which character represents Germany? How do you know that? What is the cartoon saying?

Other WWI Treaties Country Austria Hungary Bulgaria Treaty St Germain Trianon Neuilly Date Sept 10th, 1919 Jun 4th, 1920 Nov 27th, 1919 Land Lost land to Italy, Czechoslovakia and Serbia Lost land to Czechoslovakia, Romania and Serbia Lost land to Greece, Romania and Yugoslavia. Army Reduced to 30,000 men Reduced to 35,000 men. Restrictions made to size Reparations Bankrupt before rate could be set Rate never set $150 Million

Considering the start of the war, why is this significant? Partner Discussion What do you notice about the reparation payments for the four countries? Considering the start of the war, why is this significant?

Scene from WWI Memorial in Europe

Wounded soldiers returning from battle

Iconic photo from Battle of Ypres

Soldiers grave from WWI

Burial site for WWI Soldiers in Britain

Death Tolls Austria 7,800,000 1,200,000 3,620,000 2,200,000 Britain Nation Total Number of servicemen engaged in the war Number of deaths Number of soldiers wounded Number of men taken prisoner or reported missing Austria 7,800,000 1,200,000 3,620,000 2,200,000 Britain (inc Empire) 8,904,467 908,371 2,090,212 191,652 France 8,410,000 1,357,800 4,266,000 537,000 Germany 11,000,000 1,773,700 4,216,058 1,152,800 Italy 5,615,000 650,000 947,000 600,000 Russia 12,000,000 1,700,000 4,950,000 2,500,000 Turkey 2,850,000 325,000 400,000 250,000 United States 4,355,000 126,000 234,300 4,500

Death Tolls Austria 7,800,000 15.4% 46.4% 28.2% Britain (inc Empire) Nation Total Number of servicemen engaged in the war Number of deaths Number of soldiers wounded Number of men taken prisoner or reported missing Austria 7,800,000 15.4% 46.4% 28.2% Britain (inc Empire) 8,904,467 10.2% 23.5% 2.2% France 8,410,000 16.2% 50.7% 6.4% Germany 11,000,000 16.1% 38.3% 10.5% Italy 5,615,000 11.6% 17% 10.7% Russia 12,000,000 14.2% 41.3% 20.8% Turkey 2,850,000 11.4% 14% 8.8% United States 4,355,000 3% 5.4% .1%

Remains of WW1 Trench

More Aftermath (some information for the final) Armenian Genocide: Ottoman Empire kills 800,000 and 1.5 million Armenian citizens Treaty of Versailles upsets Germany: divided, guild placed on them, unable to pay all reparations right away US does not join League of Nations 1918 ___ pandemic kills 20-40 million people Collapse of Russia and Austria Hungary leads to Middle East:

The Great War Firsts “World War” “Total War” 30+ countries declare war Many more indirectly (supplies, troops, etc) “Total War” All aspects of citizen life affected Soldiers Rations Propaganda Governments take over economy “Modern War” New Fighting Style New Technology