Propaganda War Total war included controlling public opinion Censored press Hid discouraging news Propaganda was used to spread ideas to promote a cause or to damage an opposing cause
Women join the War Effort Women played critical role At home, kept national economies going Nurses near front lines
Morale Collapses Despite efforts, by 1917, morale of troops & civilians plunged Germany was sending 15 year olds to fight Britain near bankruptcy “You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye Who cheer when soldier lads march by, Sneak home and pray you’ll never know The hell where youth & laughter go” - Siegfried Sassoon, “Suicide in the Trenches”
Russian Revolution However… 3 years of war hit Russia hard Incompetent generals Corruption Food/supply shortages March 1917, Russians overthrow Tsar Allies welcome the revolution New democratic nation would be a stronger ally However…
Russian Revolution Vladimir Lenin Promised to pull troops out of war Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Early 1918 Signed with Germany Pulled Russia out of WW1
Self –determination for Eastern Europe 14 Points January 1918, Wilson issued 14 Points List of terms for resolving this and future wars Self –determination for Eastern Europe
September, German generals told kaiser the war could not be won Victory at Last Final showdown on Western Front, early 1918 Germans wanted major victory before US showed up Launch huge offensive, push Allies back 40 miles Efforts exhausted Central Powers Americans arrived September, German generals told kaiser the war could not be won William II stepped down & went to exile in Netherlands
Victory at Last The Great War came to an end Austria-Hungary near collapse Bulgaria & Ottoman Empire ask for peace 11 a.m. November 11, 1918 New German government sought an armistice The Great War came to an end
Treaty of Versailles Peace treaty officially ending WW1 Signed June 28, 1919 (5 years after the assassination) Written by the Allies 15 parts 440 articles Germany signed under protest Examples: Accept full responsibility for WW1 Germany forced to disarm
Treaty of Versailles Examples: Accept full responsibility for WW1 Germany forced to disarm Germany forced to give land back to France Germany must pay reparations of 132 billion Marks ($442 Billion in 2014)