1. World History: Unit 4, Chapter 12, Section 4
World War I:
The War Ends

2. The War Ends Main Idea Reading Focus
After several years of bloody stalemate-and the entry of the United States into the conflict-the Allied Powers finally prevailed. The peace, however, proved difficult to establish.
Reading Focus
Why did the United States enter the war?
What events led to the end of the fighting?
What issues made the peace process difficult?
What were the costs of the war?

3. The United States Enters the War
American Neutrality: President Woodrow Wilson did not want to enter war, but it helped him get re-elected
Trouble on the Seas: German policy was “unrestricted submarine warfare;” Lusitania sunk in under this policy
The Zimmerman Note: In 1917, Germany attempted to get Mexico involved against U.S.
Question #1: Germany broke its promise to the United States to stop attacking passenger ships.

4. The End of Fighting
A New German Offensive: tried a decisive blow before U.S. got involved; moved soldiers to western front, lost 800,000 troops
German Collapse: Second Battle of the Marne- German assault stopped
Armistice: 11/11/1918
Queston #2: The Allies used tanks and aircraft at the Marne, then broke through the Hindenburg Line, and Germans sought an armistice.

5. A Difficult Peace Wilson’s Vision Allied Goals
Although peace had come to the battlefield, the leaders of the war’s major countries still had to work out a formal peace agreement. This task would prove difficult.
Wilson announced his vision of world peace, Fourteen Points
Included reduction of weapons, right of people to choose own government
Proposed organization of world nations, protect from aggression
Wilson’s Vision
Leaders of four major Allies all had different ideas of peace treaty
French wanted to punish Germany, reparations for cost of war
British wanted to punish Germany, but not weaken it
Allied Goals
Question #3: because each of the four major Allies had different goals
Italy’s leader hoped to gain territory for his nation, but was disappointed to find himself mostly ignored by other leaders during peace talks.

6. The Treaty of Versailles
After difficult negotiations, the Allies finally compromised on the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty was named after the French Palace of Versailles, where the treaty signing took place.
Germany forced to pay enormous amount of money to war’s victims
Treaty also assessed responsibility for the war on Germany
Key points
Military size limited
Return conquered lands to France, Russia
German land taken to form Poland
Other colonies given to various world powers
Weaker Germany
Furious, though no choice but to sign
Reparations crippled economy
Bitterness would affect German politics in years to come
German reaction

7. The Costs of the War Human Costs Political Changes Economic Costs
8.5 million soldiers died
13 million civilians died
21.2 million soldiers were wounded
the war cost the world’s nations an estimated $332 billion
Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire were broken apart
Germany was greatly weakened
The Russian monarchy was overthrown
New countries and colonies formed in Europe and the Middle East
European colonies in Africa and Asia changed hands
Question #4: ): Millions of people died or were wounded. Some nations' economies were devastated while others prospered. Some people enjoyed the benefits of freedom and democracy after the war, but others remained under the control of colonial rulers.