An End to the Stalemate WWI

Entry of the U.S. U.S. had claimed neutrality Americans were swayed by British propaganda May 1915 German U-Boats torpedo American Tanker The next week Germans sink the British Passenger Liner - Lusitania

The Lusitania Was thought by Germans to be an armed merchant Ship Torpedoed by German U-Boat May Really just a passenger liner 1,201 civilians killed This eventually brings the U.S. into the war April

The Peace Settlements November 11, 1918 armistice is signed 5 treaties in total but the Versailles was the most controversial

Paris Peace Conference A group of men sat in judgement of Germany. They were known as the 'Big Four'.'Big Four' No Russian representation due to the revolution

The Big Four Vittorio Orlando - Italian premier who wanted territory promised in Treaty of London (1915), and maybe more. David Lloyd George - British prime minister who wanted the support of the British public by punishing Germany. Georges Clemenceau - French prime minister who wanted the Treaty to prevent Germany from attacking France ever again. Woodrow Wilson - American president who wanted the League of Nations formed, and a fair treaty for GermanyVittorio Orlando David Lloyd George Georges Clemenceau Woodrow Wilson

What They Wanted U.S. League of Nations Britain Anti-German Wanted control of German Colonies in Africa France Wanted revenge and security Return of Alsace and Loraine Establish an independent Rhineland Italy Claim Austrian territories promised in 1915

Wilson’s 14 Points Paris Peace Conference Framework for a just peace 1 open treaties of peace 2-5 freedom of seas, free trade, reduction of armaments, peaceful adjustment of colonial claims 6-13 readjustment of borders and territorial settlements in Europe 14 creation of general assoc. of nations to guarantee political independance 1918 European allies accept but not all happy

Treaty of Versailles Most Controversial France Received Alsace and Lorraine Germany forbidden to maintain any military forces in the Rhineland Germany forced to admit responsibility Germany forced to pay reparations German overseas colonies removed Limited size of German army June 28, 1919 Germany signs treaty

Main Points of the Treaty - Reduce military to the 'lowest point consistent with domestic safety'. Germany’s army was reduced to 100,000 men. They were forbidden to have tanks or an air force. The area between France and Germany - the Rhineland - was made into a demilitarised zone, which meant that no military forces could enter this area. Allied troops were stationed there for fifteen years.

Italy gets back the land that Austria-Hungary had taken. Italy received territory that was promised by the Allies in the secret Treaty of London. No more. 'An independent Poland to be established, with free and secure access to the Sea‘ Territory from Russia taken by the Germans was used to create Poland. Land from East Prussia gave Poland access to the Sea. Upper Silesia, a strong industrial centre between Poland and Germany, was given temporary independence. 'Freedom of the Seas.' (Britain protested this) Germany was not allowed to keep any submarines, and could only keep six large ships.

'Impartial adjustment of all colonial claims Britain and its Dominions split up the main African colonies. Germany was forced to renounce any claims in Asia. Leave Russian territory Some of the land that Germany had taken in Brest-Litovsk was made into new states: Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.Brest-Litovsk Leave Belgium Belgium was also given some German territory. Leave France and return Alsace and Lorraine Alsace-Lorraine was given to France. France also received the coal mines Germany's Saar Basin, though the area was to be governed by the League of Nations.However, Denmark and Czechoslovakia also received German territory.

Germany was expected to pay reparations, but the amount was not set by the Treaty. The Allies took the 'blank cheque' approach that had been so difficult at the beginning of the War. In 1921, the amount was set at an impossible £6.6 billion.reparations

. billion.

Germany’s Reaction The Treaty was not well-received by Germany. Each of the terms was very harsh, but put together it seemed impossible. In protest, the German admirals sank their own fleet, which was being held by the British at Scapa Flow rather than hand it over to the Allies. The War Guilt Clause, or Clause 231, is one of the most controversial parts of the Treaty. The Allies had ordered a report to determine who started the War, and this was the basis of Clause 231. Scapa Flow