The Legacy of WWI

Effects of WWI 9,000,000 soldiers dead 21,000,000 soldiers wounded 13,000,000 civilians dead of disease or starvation Armenian genocide by Ottoman Turks – massacre of 500,000-1,000,000 Armenians for their support in helping the Allies Absolute Monarchies in Europe destroyed Increased political and social instability

WWI Different From Other Wars Higher number of casualties The use of new technologies The amount of destruction The number of countries involved Asian & African colonies joined hoping to gain independence Arab countries wanting freedom from Ottoman Turks helped as Allies to the British

Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points Peace Plan Freedom of the seas and trade Arms limitations End to secret alliances Self-rule for all nations League of Nations Organization of world nations to settle future problems peacefully

Paris Peace Conference “Big Four” - France, Great Britain, Italy, US Central Powers not invited Some of the Allies felt left out entirely Each nation had differing goals Wilson is forced to compromise on his 14 Points Five different Treaties signed with each of the Central Powers Treaty of Versailles is signed with Germany and becomes the most important treaty signed

Treaty of Versailles – Germany’s R.A.W. Deal R. Reparations, money paid for destruction, were forced on Germany A. Allies Punish Germany German army reduced, no longer allowed to manufacture or buy weapons, their air force is dismantled Germany stripped of their colonies W. War Guilt was forced on Germany Germany must sign “war blame” clause

New Nations Established Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Poland, Austria, Hungary France and Britain split the Ottoman Empire Mandates created over territories in the Middle East (Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria) Arabs did not receive independence that Britain promised France and Britain did not give independence to colonies

Role of Women after War Women went to work during war years Laid off when soldiers returned Enjoyed working & looked for other opportunities Desired equal treatment

Red Scare Wages were set low during the war Many expected increases once the war ended Strikes broke out when wages were not raised Fear of a worker’s revolution similar to Russia’s spread Palmer Raids The US Attorney General ordered raids without search warrants There was a fear of foreigners and radicals denouncing the government & often using violence