World War I: Russian Revolution and Peace Treaties Chapters 27.3 – 27.5

Russia in WWI WWI highlighted Russia’s weaknesses Spring of 1917 – the Russian people lost faith in their government and in the czar The czar disbanded the Duma March 1917 – the czar gave up the throne

Lenin and the Bolsheviks The Petograd Soviet Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies began to gain a following The Provisional constitutional assembly government pledged to continue the war The Mensheviks lost a battle to control the Socialist party to the Bolsheviks Vladimir Lenin led the Bolsheviks Lenin’s version of Marxism formed the basis of communism Nov. 7, 1917 – the Bolsheviks overthrew the provisional government, took control, and renamed themselves the Communist Party

Peace and Civil War March 1918 – Lenin signed a peace treaty with the Central Powers Civil war soon broke out in Russia Three year civil war: the Red Army vs. the Whites The Allies were angry about the separate peace treaty Russia signed 1921 – the Communists won – renamed Russia the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

The Fourteen Points January 18, 1918: Wilson delivers his famous Fourteen Points speech to Congress: First five points were issues Wilson thought were necessary to prevent another war: There should be no secret treaties among nations. Freedom of the seas should be maintained for all. Tariffs and other economic barriers among nations should be lowered or abolished in order to foster free trade. Arms should be reduced “to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety, thus lessening the possibility of military responses” during diplomatic crises. Colonial policies should consider the interests of the colonial peoples as well as the interests of the imperialist powers. 6.-13. Dealt with boundary changes 14. Called for the creation of the League of Nations

Defeat of the Central Powers Treaty of Brest Litovsk allowed Germans to abandon the Eastern Front Under the command of Ferdinand Foch, an Allied force stopped Germany at Chateau-Theirry The Central Powers began falling apart The Kaiser gave up his throne and a German republic was set up – signed an armistice in November, 1918

The Final Toll Bloodiest war in history up to that time: 22 million dead 21 million wounded Germany and Russia lost 1.8 million, France lost 1.4 million, Austria-Hungary and Britain lost about 1 million each 10 million became refugees Cost about $338 billion dollars Toll on the U.S.: 48,000 died in battle 62,000 died of disease 200,000 were wounded

The Paris Peace Conference Wilson failed to recognize how angry the other Allied leaders were at Germany Georges Clemenceau had lived through two German invasions of France David Lloyd George had just won reelection on the slogan, “Make Germany Pay” Vittorio Orlando also wanted concessions The Paris Peace Conference failed to include the defeated nations The “Big Four” worked out details on the treaty on their own

Debating the Treaty of Versailles June 28, 1919: The Treaty of Versailles is finally signed The Treaty barred Germany from maintaining an army and forced them to pay reparations Also included a war-guilt clause This treatment of Germany weakened the ability of the Treaty to provide a lasting peace Furthermore, the treaty angered the U.S.S.R.

Fates of Former Territories The Allies made separate treaties with Austria and Hungary National self-determination became a major issue During WWI, the Turks launched a genocide against the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire 1915 – 2 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire; 1923 – nearly non-existent Bulgaria lost territory to Greece The Ottoman Empire lost all of its territory except for present-day Turkey Again, Russia lost much of its territories

New Countries

The League of Nations Wilson felt the League of Nations could fix any shortcomings in the peace treaties The League had 2 goals: 1. Promote international cooperation, 2. Keep peace among nations The League would work alongside the World Court Each nation got 1 vote in the League’s Assembly The members of the League agreed not to go to war to settle disputes The league could impose economic sanctions on nations who broke this agreement

Mandates and the Start of the League The League set aside newly independent colonies as mandates The U.S. never actually became a member of the League 1920 – first meeting in Geneva Germany joined the League in 1926; Soviet Union in 1934