Central Powers Collapse By the summer of 1918 with the Americans were now fully engulfed in the war and Germany was struggling to keep up the conflict. Germany made one final push to take lands poorly protected in Northern France which resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. During the last “Hundred Days” of the war Canadians helped overcome the tired and depleted German army. The Central Powers knew it was over.

Canadian troops For 6 weeks Canadians were at the forefront of the Allied advances on Germany Hindenburg Line – German main line of defence Canadians led the charge against the Germans Allies won back France, then Belgium

End Of The War Timeline January 1918: Wilson’s 14 points made public More about this later 3 March 1918: Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Bolsheviks in Russia sign peace settlement with Germany 11 November 1918: Armistice signed; End of War 18 January 1919: Peace of Paris convened 28 June 1919: Treaty of Versailles signed

The Results Of World War I The retreat of the German army after it’s defeat at the hands of the allies caused political upheaval in Germany and Austria-Hungary. The result was widespread anarchy and revolution. The Austro-Hungarian empire dissolved into new states. The Russian and Turkish empires disintegrated. Poland emerged as an independent nation

Results cont. Russia becomes the first communist nation The Kaiser abdicated on 17 of October and went into exile, and Germany became a republic. The War had cost 10 million dead and 21 million wounded. It caused mass extermination of a generation. Millions of Russians died of starvation Financial costs were estimated at $330 billion.

Results for Canada World saw Canada as independent Given our own table at Paris, separate signature from Britain Women received more recognition Population grew due to immigration Economic growth Income tax introduced to reduce war debt 60,000 killed, 178,000 injured

More than a war between nations… 1914 1919

Treaty of Versailles Leaders from the various powers met to discuss the terms of a lasting peace. The most important terms included: WAR GUILT CLAUSE - Germany accepting responsibility for the conflict. (*later becomes a cause of WWII) REPARATIONS - Germany had to pay out $30 billion. Germany’s enhanced territory was shrunk to create Poland and hinder its own growth. German forces were restricted in what they were allowed to make and do (especially concerning the military and industrialization).

More Provisions Alsace-Lorraine returned to France Poland was given a Polish corridor – access to the sea Germany forced to surrender all its colonies to League of Nations Westbank of Rhine River Valley demilitarized Constitution of League of Nations

Self Determination Ethnic groups would vote on where they wanted to live and be governed by Difficult to create homelands for every ethnic group 2 new states: Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia

War Guilt Clause – was it fair?

Wilson’s 14 Points Was against financial compensation from Germany to France, Britain, etc. Points 1-5: how countries should work together, “internationalism” Put aside nationalism Ethnic groups allowed to make new countries Self determination Points 6-8: how Germany should be dealt with Points 9-14: ethnic desires of Central and Eastern Europe – Czechs, Slovaks, Serbs, Croats and Poles – homelands Austria-Hungary would cease to exist

14 points, cont. Suggested the return of land to the major powers who lost it. Did not put sanctions on the Central powers. Countries should be allowed to grow without restriction (including Germany). If Wilson’s 14 points were accepted we might have been able to avoid World War II.