1. Ending “The Great War” 1917 Turning Points 1918 Armistice 1919 Treaty of Versailles

2. 1917 Mounting casualties on the Eastern Front between Germany and Russia, combined with widespread civil unrest force the abdication of Russia’s Czar Nickolas II. The United States enters the war in April as an Allied Power The Bolshevik Revolution led by Lenin and Trotsky topples the provisional Russian government The Bolsheviks begin to negotiate a peace settlement with Germany The war on the “Western Front” has ground to a stalemate in the trenches

3. Czar Nickolas II and the Romanov Family

4. Bolshevik Leader V.I. Lenin

5. The Western Front

6. Trench Warfare

9. 1918 The USSR (Bolsheviks) conclude the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany The massive Spring offensive mounted by Germany has been halted Social, economic, and political unrest in Germany has led to fears of a communist revolution similar to that which had happened in Russia. The German Kaiser abdicates his throne. Conservatives in Germany fearing even greater military losses and a potential revolution agree to a cease fire or armistice ( the 11 th Hour of the 11 th Day of the 11 th Month. American President Woodrow Wilson offers his idealistic 14 Points For Peace hoping to achieve “peace without victory” with the goal of “making the world safe for democracy”. Key points deal with freedom of the seas, economic issues, boundary settlements, and the 14 th point hoped to achieve lasting peace through “collective security” via a League of Nations.

10. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ending the war between Russia and Germany

15. American flying Ace Eddie Rickenbacker

16. American Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Alvin York

18. Poison gas attack

21. Hostilities cease on Nov. 11 th, 1918 Today recognized as “Veteran’s Day”

22. American President Woodrow Wilson authors his 14 Points for peace

23. 1919 Nations meet at Versailles (outside Paris, France) Germany is not invited to participate in the treaty talks. The treaty is largely the work of the “Big Four” (Wilson-U.S., George- England, Clemenceau-France, and Orlando-Italy) Wilson is forced to compromise on many of his idealistic 14 Points in order to secure the inclusion of the League of Nations in the treaty.

25. The “idealism” of Pres. Woodrow Wilson

26. Wilson with wife Edith

27. Palace at Versailles

28. Peace with Victory The winners fight to divide the spoils at Versailles

29. The Treaty of Versailles Major Provisions: Revised boundaries, dismemberment of old empires and the creation of new countries Disarmament of Germany ( no navy or air force, land army limited to 100,000 men) War Guilt placed upon Germany Reparations payments placed upon Germany ($33 Billion) Creation of the League of Nations Establishment of a new German government, The Weimar Republic

30. Post WW I Map of Europe

31. U.S. Congressional reaction to the Treaty of Versailles Strong objections are voiced by various factions within the U.S Congress/Senate due largely to concerns over the “collective security” responsibilities within the League of Nations “strong reservationists” led by Henry Cabot Lodge “Irreconcilables” Led by William Borah of Idaho: objection to the League on any grounds “mild reservationists” could agree if changes were made The result is failure by the U.S. to ratify the Treaty or join the League

32. Article “X” in the treaty was The League of Nations

33. Henry Cabot Lodge

37. A pro League cartoon

38. Effects of the Treaty of Versailles The United States even though an established influential world power, sinks into a period of relative isolation in foreign affairs during the 1920’s Russia also isolates itself during the 1920’s and ’30’s under communism. With death of Lenin, Joseph Stalin becomes the leader of Russia Germany’s economy is devastated first by inflation and then by depression, leading to widespread frustration, anger and resentment Increased political unrest in Germany leads to challenges form both the right and left. Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Worker’s Party (NSDAP or Nazis) come to power in Germany Various acts of aggression culminate on Sept. 1 st, 1939 with the German invasion of Poland, WWII (1939-1945) has begun