The End of World War I

Stalemate

By 1917 both sides fighting defensive war

Neither could put together a massive attack

Defeatism in England, France

Mutinies in French, British armies

RussiaTerrible military defeats

Czar’s leadership lacking

November 1917 Revolution put Lenin and Bolsheviks in power

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk got Russia out of war with Germany

Russia gave up massive amounts of land

Germany’s Last Chance

Russia Surrenders to Germany, German troops move from Eastern to Western Front.

March 1918: MASSIVE frontal assault breaks through Allied trenches with specialized “Strosstuppen”

Strosstuppen=Assault Troops

New tactics

Fast moving

Lightly equipped

Heavily armed

Germany’s Down FallFood, supplies are low

Most soldiers are 14-16 years old or older than 50.

Americans help stop German advance at 2nd Battle of the Marne.

Germany Retreats

Armistice

An agreement to stop fighting before a formal treaty is reached

The 11th hour, of the 11th day, on the 11th month. (Nov 11th)

Germany agrees to surrender if President Wilson used his 14 Points to negotiate peace treaty

Wilson’s 14 PointsOutline measures to maintain peace after WWI

No secret alliances

Freedom of the seas

Free trade

Sovereignty for Belgium, former states of Russia and Austria-Hungary

Self determination

Paris Peace Conference“The Big Four”: United States (Woodrow Wilson), Great Britain (David Lloyd George), Italy (Vittorio Orlando), and France (Georges Clemenceau)

Russia, Germany, and German allies not represented at the conference

Paris Peace ConferencePre-conference vision of peace:France = revenge, securityGreat Britain = balance of powerItaly = territorial gainsUnited States = 14 Points, League of Nations

Treaty of VersaillesSigned June 28, 1919Germany forced to pay the Allies $33 billion in reparations over 30 yearsArticle 231 (“war guilt” clause) = sole responsibility for the war is placed on Germany’s shouldersGermany returns Allasace-Lorraine to France; French border extended to the west bank of the Rhine RiverGermany surrenders all of its overseas colonies in Africa and the Pacific

Treaty of VersaillesGermany is (a) forbidden to build or buy submarines or have an air force, (b) prohibited from importing or manufacturing weapons or war material, and (c) army is limited in size

Creation of a League of Nations to settle international disputes

Results

Map of Europe is radically changed

Results

Germany, Italy, Russian and Japan feel cheated by the terms of the final peaceUnited States turns away from international affairs (isolationism), refuses to join the League of NationsDissatisfaction with the treaty and worldwide depression in the 1930s sets the stage for a 2nd World War