1. The Allies Win the War

2. Final Offensive
Russian’s withdrawal allowed Germany to send nearly all its forces to the Western Front
March 1918, Germany mounts final offensive on the Allies in France
By May 1918 they have again reached the Marne River (less than 40 miles from Paris)

3. Final Offensive Reaching the Marne weakened Germany
Allies, with 140,000 fresh US troops, launched counter attack
July 1918-Second Battle of the Marne
Allied tank offensive breaks through German line and begins pushing Germany back
German morale collapses and troops desert

4. Central Powers Collapse
September 1918 Bulgaria surrenders
Austria-Hungary defeated and begins breaking apart
October 1918 Ottomans accept defeat
Germany stands alone against the Allies in November 1918
November 9, 1918-Kaiser William II steps down, Germany declares itself a republic

5. End of World War I
Representative from Germany meets with French commander to sign an armistice
Armistice: an agreement to stop fighting
November 11, 1918-World War I comes to an end

6. Legacy of the War The legacy of the War:
What was different about this war than earlier conflicts?
Predict what will be different moving forward?
Will anything remain the same?
Should any countries be held responsible? If so, how?

7. Statistics

8. What do numbers really mean?
Entire generation of Europeans wiped out
Estimated cost: 5 trillion-ish in today’s $
Total destruction of cities, towns, villages, farms
Legacy of despair, depression, disillusionment
Conflicts still unresolved

9. Austria-Hungary
1914-Attack on Serbia tried to crush nationalistic forces
1918-nationalistic forces caused the break up of the empire
Ethnic minorities desire for national independence encouraged by Allies

10. Austria-Hungary
By end of war, Austria-Hungary replaced by independent republics:
Austria
Hungary
Czechoslovakia
Yugoslavia (Slavic monarchical state)
Rivalries among these nations would weaken Eastern Europe for next 8 years