Unit 5: Imperialism & WWI 1.4.18

The state of the war Germany initially doing well against British and French troops By May of 1918 they were just 30 miles from Paris

America to the rescue American troops jumped in and saved Paris Turned the tide of war 250,000 American troops arriving in France each month

America’s Contribution In total, 1.5 million American troops arrived in Europe in the last 6 months of the war

Surrender Begins Bulgaria and Ottoman Empire surrendered in the fall of 1918 Finally Germany surrendered on Nov. 11, 1918

Influenza Epidemic Last months of the war Killed more people worldwide than all battles of the war

Progression of the Great Influenza First detected in Kansas Then carried to Europe by American soldiers The influenza killed within a few days ~30 million people died

Consequences of War Deaths: Killed 14 million Politically Killed 9 million combatants and 5 million civilians Politically Downfall of 4 empires (Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman) Triumph of fascism in Italy Other consequences Armenian Genocide Ottoman Empire’s mass extermination of 1.5 million Armenians (Turkey) Fascism: a political philosophy/movement that exalts nation (and often race) above the individual; stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic & social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

Consequences for America Europe’s leading creditor Most industrialized nation Comparatively few deaths Leads to America becoming a major world power

The Peace European Allies wanted to make Germany pay for the damage of war President Wilson, instead, thought the treaty should lay the groundwork to “end all wars” Wilson brought his “Fourteen Points” to Paris

League of Nations Wilson’s 14 Points called for a League of Nations, an international governing body This became part of the treaty

Treaty of Versailles June 28, 1919 6 months of deliberations to put it together Signed at in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles in Paris, France Previous home to King Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette

Treaty of Versailles Main points: Created League of Nations Drew new boundaries for Germany Created a “de-militarized” zone Took away all German colonies Limited Germany’s military Blamed Germany for WWI Imposed financial obligations on Germany

Treaty of Versailles But Congress refuses to ratify the treaty Disliked the idea of “internationalism” wanted to stay out of the conflicts of Europe Instead wanted to focus on America & its interests

Read & annotate the “Treaty of Versailles” reading