The February Revolution Tsar Nicholas II is forced to abdicate the throne because of political decisions at home and military failures on the front lines.

The October Revolution Bolsheviks led by Lenin come in to power

March 3, 1918 – The new Soviet government signed a separate peace with Germany: The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

As a part of the agreements in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk the U.S.S.R. ceded around 25% of its land to Germany. The rest of the allies (including the U.S.) feared that this would result in a major shift in the balance of power on the Western Front.

I. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk – March 1918 A. Tsar Nicholas II overthrown by aristocrats displeased with the course of the war and government actions at home (February Revolution) B. Lenin led communist revolution in Russia amid continuing discontent and the Bolsheviks came to power (October Revolution) C. Russia gave 25% of land to Germany and withdrew from war

So, in March of 1918, the Russians (now Soviets) were out of the war…but the U.S. had technically joined in April of 1917 (an entire year earlier) and they finally showed up to fight!

The fresh troops and supplies boosted European morale

II. U.S. Entry Revitalized Allies A. Fresh troops and supplies spurred war effort B. European morale was boosted

We must have free trade and the removal of tariffs as well as a reduction in the number of armaments…

We must also have an end to secret alliances; they do nothing but draw nations into unnecessary conflict…

We must have self- determination for nations, no reparations, and an end to imperialism

Finally, we must establish a League of Nations to talk out our problems, rather than fight…

III. Wilson’s Fourteen Points – U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s plan for peace addressed the causes of the war A. Reduction of armaments (militarism) B. No secret alliances (alliance system) C. Self-determination for countries (imperialism/nationalism) D. Formation of the League of Nations to discuss global issues E. No reparations for the Central Powers F. Plan attempted to prevent future wars

As the war was coming to an end, Wilson made his peace plan public: Remind Wilson, what was that peace plan called? Believing Wilson’s 14 Points were fair and would guide the peace process, the Central Powers on the Western Front agreed to an armistice (cease fire)…

The railroad car where the Germans signed the Armistice

The Central Powers surrendered on the 11 th hour of the 11 th day of the 11 th month of (That is 11:00am on 11/11/18 – pretty sweet!)

11/11 is now celebrated in the United States as Veteran’s Day and elsewhere as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day

IV. Central Powers Were Defeated A. Germany surrendered based on Wilson’s 14 Points B. Armistice (end to fighting) signed at 11:00am on November 11, 1918 (now celebrated as Armistice Day/Veterans Day)

I better go over there to make sure the Europeans don’t screw this up!

Wilson traveled to France and was greeted like a hero! The Europeans loved him and the U.S. for making the world “safe for democracy” and ending the war.

V. Versailles Peace Conference – peace for justice or revenge? A. Big Four (Britain, France, Italy, US) met to discuss peace 1. David Lloyd George (U.K.), Georges Clemenceau (FR), Vittorio Orlando (IT), Woodrow Wilson (U.S.)

While many members of the European public were supportive of Wilson’s plan, the other political leaders who made up the “Big Four” were not so pleased… David Lloyd George (Britain), Vittorio Orlando (Italy), and Georges Clemenceau (France) had different plans for the Treaty of Versailles….

We have to keep our empire strong and maintain our dominance of the seas! We want lots of land, even though we didn’t contribute much to the war effort because we wanted to find out who would win… The Germans must be punished, and never be able to invade our precious France again! Evil baby-eaters! Who came up with those stupid hats anyway? Thank God for French fashion designers!

Debating the Treaty of Versailles

Signing the Treaty of Versailles

Germany was forced to admit responsibility for the war, give up any sort of non-defensive military, and pay a $32 billion USD reparation bill

Europe in 1914 Europe in 1919 after the creation of Poland, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia to ease ethnic tensions and further diminish the strength of the former Central Powers

Ultimately, the League of Nations was the only part of the 14 Points in the Treaty of Versailles

Screw that sissy Wilson and his 14 Points! YAH! But…my global utopia would have been so beautiful…

Some people were concerned about the future implications of the Treaty of Versailles Title: “Peace and Future Cannon Fodder” Caption: “Curious, I seem to hear a child weeping!”

Wilson left the conference frustrated, but still supportive of the Treaty. He was greeted with a hero’s welcome!

The Republicans in the Senate were not nearly as welcoming as the American public. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge I don’t think we should get involved with Europe again. And I’m suspicious of this whole League of Nations thing! I don’t want to sign the treaty!

Also, Article X of the League of Nations concerns me. It states that all members are required “to respect and preserve against external aggression the territorial integrity” of all other member nations. That sounds like we have to commit our military to foreign wars all the time! Senator Henry Cabot Lodge

I don’t think the U.S. should ever get involved in another European war again. We should just mind our own business over here in the Western Hemisphere… Sadly, my mustache has eaten my brain...can anyone remind me what that is called? Isolationism! WOOT! Senator Henry Cabot Lodge

The Republicans who refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles became known as the “Irreconcilables.” Senator Henry Cabot Lodge

This is no good! No good at all! Maybe if I ride around the country on a train giving speeches I will be able to convince people that the Treaty of Versailles rocks!

You can’t go on a speaking tour! You just got back from six months of hard work in Europe. You’re getting too old for this! I advise against this!

I MUST go, for the good of the nation and the good of the world! I have a beautiful vision to achieve! Stupid doctor…

Refusing to compromise with the Republicans and ignoring his doctor, Wilson went on a speaking tour of the U.S. to attempt to gain popular support and pressure Senators into ratifying the Treaty of Versailles so that he could take steps toward the creation of a better world. The Senate must ratify the Treaty for the same reason we went to war…to make the world safe for democracy!

He gave 37 speeches in 29 cities in 3 weeks. The American people supported him, especially when he promised them that American soldiers would never again have to die in a foreign war because of the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations.

But, at a speech in Pueblo, Colorado… The League of Nations will make the world safe for…for…uh, I’m not feeling so well….

Wilson returned to Washington where, a few days later, he suffered a massive stroke. He spent the next year and a half (until the end of his presidency) completely incapacitated. His wife Edith and a circle of close advisors ran the government for him and kept his condition secret from the public.

In March of 1920, the U.S. Senate officially rejected the Treaty of Versailles, including U.S. entry into the League of Nations. The U.S. later signed separate peace treaties with each of the Central Powers.

Wilson left office in 1921 and died in Because of his failure to get the Treaty of Versailles ratified, he felt like a total failure and came to believe that joining World War I had been in vain

Despite his personal feelings of failure and the issues with the Treaty of Versailles, Wilson had created a vision of the world which millions of people had never even considered as an option. He would serve, and continues to serve, as a model for future attempts at establishing a truly peaceful, utopian world. Gandhi probably liked Wilson!

B. Treaty of Versailles – June 28, Germany had to pay reparations (money for damages) and publically accept full “war guilt” 2. German military was forced to disband 3. Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia were created to ease ethnic tensions and further diminish the strength of the former Central Powers 4. League of Nations was created (without the U.S.) 5. Wilson was frustrated, but still supported the Treaty of Versailles 6. U.S. never ratified the treaty because of political conflict at home, but Wilson’s idealism created a possible new world paradigm for future generations

VI. Results of the War A. Over 9,500,000 men died in combat; 16.5 million total people died B. Most civilians died from influenza and starvation C. Many cities and farms destroyed and economies crushed D. United States emerged as a world power in a position of strength