World War I – Day 6 List the final events of World War I

Bell Work 1 What was the only thing Briana Scurry wore during her Gold Medal celebration lap through the late night streets of Atlanta? ◦ Her gold medal What are some major topics studied this semester that will show up on your unit test this week? ◦ The Second Industrial Revolution, The Transformation of American Society, American Empire and WWI “Before I met my husband, I'd never fallen in love, though I'd stepped in it a few times”.  Rita Rudner Time Table Bell Work – 10 min. Lecture Notes – 20 min. WWI in Color – 20 min. UNIT TEST ON FRIDAY!

The War’s End Uncertainty ◦ In the summer 1917, the Allies launched an offensive to break the deadlock on the western front, it failed, destroying morale. ◦ More bad news in March, the Russian Czar was overthrown by the Bolsheviks, a radical socialist group, headed by Vladimir Lenin. ◦ The Bolsheviks opposed the war and signed a treaty in March 1918, allowing the Central Powers to focus on the western front.

German Push ◦ Immediately following the treaty with Russia, 1 million Germans launched a major offensive against the Allies.  One German weapon, “Big Bertha,” could launch 2,100- pound shells almost nine miles. ◦ The surge forced the Allies back, only 50 mi. from Paris. ◦ General Pershing agreed to place U.S. troops under French command. ◦ This introduction of troops made the difference, the German advance was halted.

Allied Victory ◦ On July 15 the Germans threw everything they had into a final assault. ◦ The Allies held and called for a counterattack three days later. The U.S. led surge pushed the Germans back. ◦ The late summer of 1918 called for one last major Allied offensive, again led by Americans. ◦ Despite losing 120,000 American casualties in the Battle of the Argonne Forest, the Allies pushed on.  The 369 th Infantry, an African American regiment received the Croix de Guerre, a French military honor.

◦ Repeatedly hammered the Central Powers began to disintegrate.  Military mutinies and food riots broke out in Germany. ◦ On November 9, 1918 Kaiser Wilhelm gave up the throne. ◦ The terms of the armistice included Germany evacuating Alsace-Lorraine, Belgium, France and Luxembourg while surrendering most of their military equipment.  The Armistice was effective on the 11 th month on the 11 th day at the 11 th hour.  A peace conference was set for January 1919 in Paris.