The Final Push The End of the War

March – June 1918 German final offensive Russia had surrendered Jan. 1918 Russian Revolution 600 000 German troops freed up from the Eastern front

German Final Offensive Reasons for the offensive U.S. troops would be ready for combat by late 1918 U.S. joint the war after Germany sank the Lusitania (April 1917) British naval blockade was, after 3 years having an effect Germany was starving

German Final Offensive German failure to win this offensive = loose the war March – June 1918 Germans drove the Allies back 48 km August 1918 Allies launched their offensive – spearheaded by the Canadians Canadian’s bringing in prisoners at the Battle or Amiens – 1st battle of ‘Canada’s 100 days’

Canada’s 100 Days Canadians gained 13 km in 1 day August 8 “The Black Day Of The German Army” The day the Germans realized they could not win the war August 8 – Nov 11 became known as “Canada’s 100 Days”

Canada’s 100 Days continued September – October the Hindenburg line is broken October Canadians capture French town, Cambrai German forces collapse and retreat all along the Western front Cambrai, 1918

Armistice Germany asked for an Armistice – 11am, November 11, 1918 An armistice – agreement to end the war Cease Fire

Armistice – Cease-fire Terms of the cease-fire Immediate evacuation of all territories captured during the war Withdraw troops within 10 km of the Rhine River – leave all artillery, guns…. Surrender its navy and merchant ships Compensate Allies for war damages Surrender most of its railway rolling stock to France and Belgium Allied blockade to continue until a peace treaty was signed – many civilians consequently starved to death Intended to make it impossible for Germany to resume the war

Paris Peace Settlement – Jan 1919 Conference to draw up peace treaty – formally ending the war Canada initially part of the British delegation Sir Robert Borden insisted Canada’s war effort entitled it to be represented as its own nation – with its own vote U.S opposed Canada getting its own vote Canada sent its own delegation but had no vote

Treaty of Versailles Palace of Versailles, where the treaty was signed Additional conditions as well as those accepted under the armistice Canada felt the treaty was too tough on Germany Allied leaders at Versailles The Interior of the Palace des Glaces during the signing of the Peace Terms. Versailles, France. June 1919.

Terms of the Treaty of Versailles Evacuate the Rhineland (Germany west of the Rhine River) Reduce army to 100 000, no conscription Abandon its air force Cease building submarines and tanks Reduce its navy to 6 battleships (all built before 1905) Admit responsibility for causing the war “war guilt clause” Pay damages (reparations) to the allies $30 billion If Germany did not sign the war would resume Canada signed the Treaty of Versailles as its own separate nation

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty of Versailles – The New Map of Europe

The Treaty of Versailles The Fall-out!