The End of the War

Entry of the United States U.S. tried to remain neutral in WWI German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare provoked U.S. Lusitania attacked in 1915 Zimmerman note in Feb 1917 U.S. declares war on Germany April 2nd 1917 U.S. tried to remain neutral in WWI German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare provoked U.S. Lusitania attacked in 1915 Zimmerman note in Feb 1917 U.S. declares war on Germany April 2nd 1917

Russia Withdraws Lenin signs peace treaty with Germany on March 3rd, 1918 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk –Russia gives up territory in eastern Poland, the Ukraine, Finland, and Baltic states Lenin signs peace treaty with Germany on March 3rd, 1918 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk –Russia gives up territory in eastern Poland, the Ukraine, Finland, and Baltic states

German offensive Germany fighting only a one front war Launches last offensive in 2nd Battle of the Marne (March-July 1918) Germany defeated by allies By November people rebelled, Wilhelm II stepped down and new socialist republic formed In Austria-Hungary nationalist rebellions occur Germany fighting only a one front war Launches last offensive in 2nd Battle of the Marne (March-July 1918) Germany defeated by allies By November people rebelled, Wilhelm II stepped down and new socialist republic formed In Austria-Hungary nationalist rebellions occur

Armistice November 11th, 1918 armistice signed Jan 1919 delegates met in Paris to finalize peace settlement –70 delegates from 27 nations –Big 4: U.S., G.B, France and Italy November 11th, 1918 armistice signed Jan 1919 delegates met in Paris to finalize peace settlement –70 delegates from 27 nations –Big 4: U.S., G.B, France and Italy

Treaty of Versailles Germany not allowed to participate Russia in civil war 3 main allies could not agree –Wilson: Idealistic, wanted international cooperation Obsessed with League of Nations Believed only a permanent int. org. could prevent members from aggression & war Germany not allowed to participate Russia in civil war 3 main allies could not agree –Wilson: Idealistic, wanted international cooperation Obsessed with League of Nations Believed only a permanent int. org. could prevent members from aggression & war

Treaty of Versailles David Lloyd George (GB) and Georges Clemenceau (France) focused on punishing Germany Clemenceau wanted a buffer state between France & Germany, demilitarization of Germany and war reparations –Compromised by gave up idea of buffer state for defensive alliance with GB & US David Lloyd George (GB) and Georges Clemenceau (France) focused on punishing Germany Clemenceau wanted a buffer state between France & Germany, demilitarization of Germany and war reparations –Compromised by gave up idea of buffer state for defensive alliance with GB & US

Provisions of the Treaty Signed June 28, 1919 Germans considered treaty harsh War Guilt Clause –Declared Germany (& Austria) responsible for starting war –Germany had to pay reparations for damages Allied governments and people suffered Signed June 28, 1919 Germans considered treaty harsh War Guilt Clause –Declared Germany (& Austria) responsible for starting war –Germany had to pay reparations for damages Allied governments and people suffered

Provisions of the Treaty Germany had to lower army to 100,000 men, reduce navy and eliminate air force Lost territory in Alsace & Lorraine to France, sections of Prussia to the new Polish state, Rhineland was demilitarized zone Germany had to lower army to 100,000 men, reduce navy and eliminate air force Lost territory in Alsace & Lorraine to France, sections of Prussia to the new Polish state, Rhineland was demilitarized zone

Other Peace Treaties Separate peace treaties made with other Central Powers –Changed map of Europe –Germany & Russia lost territory, Austrian Hungarian empire disappeared, new states of Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Hungary created Separate peace treaties made with other Central Powers –Changed map of Europe –Germany & Russia lost territory, Austrian Hungarian empire disappeared, new states of Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Hungary created

Other Peace Treaties Serbia formed new, larger country of Yugoslavia Ottoman Empire broken up –Although Arab states promised independence European powers controlled territory –France gained Lebanon & Syria –Britain gained Iraq & Palestine Known as mandates Serbia formed new, larger country of Yugoslavia Ottoman Empire broken up –Although Arab states promised independence European powers controlled territory –France gained Lebanon & Syria –Britain gained Iraq & Palestine Known as mandates

Composition The Treaty of Versailles has been called a “peace built on quicksand”. Explain what this means and if you agree or disagree with this statement. If you were at the Paris peace conference what would you do differently? Explain