World War I (The Great War) Comes to an End

Topics we will discuss:

Ending of the war

Wilsons Fourteen Points
Treaty of Versailles

Why the U.S. did not sign the Treaty of Versailles

Germanys Final Blow

A) Russia left the War in 1917 Dec 15th, 1917, Russia declares peace
under the new leadership of Vladimir Lenin. March 3rd, 1918
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed between Russia and Germany.
B) Germany felt this was their chance to win With peace on the
Eastern Front, Germany can focus all of its attention on the
remaining Allied Powers.

The German Spring Offensive March 21st, 1918

With Russia out of the picture, Germany launches an a massive attack across the
Western Front. Approx. 65 German divisions attacked along a 60 mile front.
*Germans quickly gained ground, in one day making the biggest
breakthrough in 3 years.
*On the first day, 21,000 British soldiers had been captured.
The first few days of the offensive were such a success that Kaiser
Wilhem II declared March 24th a national holiday.
Many Germans felt that the war was all but won, however.

The Germans were able to do this partly because they carried little but their weapons, leaving all
other supplies behind. Supply lines couldnt keep up with the German advance, and troops
began to starve.
The Spring Offensive had proved costly for Germany. Between March and April 1918, Germany
suffered 230,000 casualties.

May 23rd, 1918 - Three German Krupps Cannons shell Paris from 75 miles away.
Many civilians flee the city.

By June 1918, the German forces are severely weakened.

On July 15th, the Germans launch one last offensive. Its a massive failure.
The French and British forces, with the help of the American Expeditionary force (entered
the front lines in Nov. 17th, 1917 by the end of the war over 2 million AEF served) are
to hold off the Germans.
*The Allied forces continue to push back the Germans. Between March and July, Germany
Suffers over 1 million casualties.
*October 4th, 1918 Germany asks the Allied Powers for an armistice based on Woodrow
Wilsons 14 points. The Allied Powers do not accept.

November 9th, 1918 Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated and leaves to the Netherlands as it is
apparent his forces no longer support him.
November 11th, 11:00 A.M. Germany signs an Armistice with the Allies. World War I
comes to an end.
Country

Mobilized

Dead

Wounded

Prisoners &
Missing

Total

AustriaHungary

7,800,000

1,200,000

3,620,000

2,200,000

7,020,000

Britain

8,904,467

908,371

2,090,212

191,652

3,190,235

France

8,410,000

1,357,800

4,266,000

537,000

5,920,650

Germany

11,000,000

1,773,700

4,216,508

1,152,800

7,142,588

Russia

12,000,000

1,700,000

4,950,000

2,500,000

9,150,000

Serbia

707,343

45,000

133,148

152,958

331,106

USA

4,355,000

116,516

204,002

4,500

323,018

Italy

5,615,000

689,000

959,100

600,000

1,424,660

Wilsons 14 Points
Plan for Post WW1 Europe
Goal: To prevent future wars
Encouraged Central Powers to surrender
Listed in a speech delivered by President Wilson
January 8, 1918.
Main Points:
1) no more secret treaties
2) countries must seek to reduce their weapons and
their armed forces.
3) national self-determination should allow people of
the same nationality to govern themselves and one
nationality should not have the power to govern
another.
4) all countries should belong to the League of
Nations.

Fourteen Points #1
1. Countries would not make secret treaties and alliances.

- Secret alliances had been a cause of WW I.

Fourteen Points #2
Ships would be able to travel freely in times of war.

U-boat attacks on shipping had drawn the United States into WWI.

Fourteen Points #3

Free trade.

Free trade among countries would promote economic growth and

reduce trade conflicts that could draw nations into war.

Fourteen Points #4

Countries would reduce their stockpiles of weapons.

Militarism had been a cause of WW I.

Fourteen Points #5
The desires of colonial peoples would be taken into
consideration in creating a more peaceful world.

Imperialism and competition for colonies had been a cause of WW I.

Fourteen Points #6-13

Restoring land taken from countries by war would restore respect for international law.

Redrawing borders on the basis of self-determination

would reduce conflicts among ethnic groups.

Fourteen Points #14

Countries would work together in theLeague of Nations to resolve conflicts

before those conflicts escalated into war.

The Treaty of Versailles

The treaty was signed on July 28th, 1919 at the vast Versailles Palace near
Paris - hence its title - between Germany and the Allies.
Germany was not allowed to be part of the negotiations, even though it
decided the fate of the country. Russia was also not invited because of the
political turmoil in the country at the time.

The Big Four Three

When the heads of the 4 major Allies- France, Great Britain, Italy, and the United States
(The Big Four) met in Paris for peace talks, they were
more focused on self-interest than on Wilsons 14 Points plan.
Why do you think the Italian Prime Minitser Xed out in this picture?

U.S. President
Prime Minister of
Prime Minister of France Prime Minister of
Woodrow Wilson
Great Britian
Italy
George Clemenceau
David Lloyd George Vittorio Emanuele Orlando

Different Agendas
France (Clemenceau) was concerned with security. France hoped to weaken Germany to
the point that it could never threaten France again by greatly reducing its army. France
also wanted heavy reparations to repair its infrastructure that Germany had destroyed and
all the resources it had expended.
Britain (George) wanted to make Germany pay, as was the popular adage in Britain at
the time. However, George was worried about the rise of communism in Russia. George
knew that Germany was be the only country that could stop the spread of communism
crossed the boarders of Russia into Central Europe. George also worried that a Germans
may become so disillusioned with their government that they may turn to communism
themselves.

I just want
Peace maaan

Three Vital Clauses to the Treaty

1. Germany had to accept full responsibility for starting the war.
2. Germany, as she was responsible for starting the war as stated in clause 231, was
therefore responsible for all the war damage caused by the First World War. Most of
this money would go to France and Belgium to pay for the damage done to the
Infrastructure in both countries.
3. A League of Nations was set up to keep world peace.

Hang the Kaiser

Lloyd George of England, insisted that Germany accept responsibility for starting the war

War Guilt Clause

by inclusion of the
.
The treaty required Germany to pay $33 billion in reparations to the Allies.
"The Allied and Associated
Governments affirm, and
Germany accepts, the
responsibility of Germany and her
Allies for causing all the loss and
damage to which the Allied and
Associate Governments and their
nationals have been subjected as
a consequence of a war imposed
upon them by the aggression of
Germany and her Allies."
Fact: Germany made its final reparations
Article 231

payment of $94 million dollars on

October 3, 2010.

Reparations
Reparations are payments demanded of a defeated nation by the
victor in a war to offset the cost of the war.
Germans resented both the war-guilt clause and reparations, fearing
that the payments would cripple their economic recovery.

100 Billion (American 100 Trillion) Mark, 1923

Germans were correct to fear reparations, as they caused a cycle of hyperinflation.

Due to the reparations they were forced to pay, the value of the German mark declined at a rapid
rate.
In 1922, a loaf of bread cost 122 Marks. In September 1923, the same loaf cost 150,000 marks!
In November 1923, the same loaf cost 200,000,000,000!!!
People had to shop with wheelbarrows full of money, restaurants quit printing menus, and
pensions became worthless.

The Spoils of War

Parts of Germany were given to France, Poland, Denmark, and Belgium, with little
thought about the desires of the people living there.
The League of Nations also took control of Germany's overseas colonies.
Germany had to return to Russia land taken in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Some of this land
was made into new states: Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. An enlarged Poland also received
some of this land.

Military Sanctions Against Germany

Germanys army was reduced to 100,000 men; the army was not allowed tanks.
She was not allowed an airforce.
She was allowed only 6 capital naval ships and no submarines.
The west of the Rhineland and 50 kms east of the River Rhine was made into a
demilitarised zone (DMZ). No German soldier or weapon was allowed into this zone.
The Allies were to keep an army of occupation on the west bank of the Rhine for 15
years.

Wilson Compromises
The other countries had lost many lives and property, and they expected compensation.
The Allies had borrowed huge sums form American banks to finance the war.
They hoped to repay these debts with reparations from Germany.
Wilson reluctantly agreed to the harsh treatment of Germany.
Country

Mobilized

Dead

Wounded

Missing

Total

Britain

8,904,467

908,371

2,090,212

191,652

3,190,235

France

8,410,000

1,357,800

4,266,000

537,000

5,920,650

USA

4,355,000

116,516

204,002

4,500

323,018

Italy

5,615,000

689,000

959,100

600,000

1,424,660

League of Nations
The League of Nations had one task ensure war never broke out again.
The League of nations was to be based in Geneva, Switzerland, a neutral country.
If a dispute did occur, the League, under its Covenant, could do three things these were known as its sanctions:

1. It could call on the states in dispute to sit down and discuss the problem in a peaceful manne
If one country is seen as the aggressor, it could introduce a VERBAL SANCTION, warning the a
to leave the other nations territory or face the consequences.
2. If the Leagues decision is not adhered to, the League can impose ECONIMIC SANCTIONS,
To be arranged by the Leagues Council.
3. If economic sanctions failed the League could introduce PHYSICAL SANCTIONS, meaning
a millitary force would be used to uphold the Leagues decision.
Wilson hoped that including the League of Nations in the final treaty would make up for his
compromises on other issues.
He believed that by providing collective security and a framework for peaceful talks, the League
would fix many problems the treaty had created.

Weaknesses of the League of Nations

*There was no army at the Leagues disposal. Strength-wise, Britain and France had both
Been severely depleted from the war and could not provide the League with the backing it
Needed.
America refused to join. America, the worlds most powerful nation whos President came
up with the idea for the League, Refused to join. America was moving towards an
Isolationist policy immediately after the war.
Germany was not allowed to join. Germany had started the war and was not considered a
Member of the international community. Looking back in hindsight, its important for
Obvious reasons, but it was also important because the League could not use whatever
Strength Germany had to support its decisions.
Russia was not allowed to join. Russias new communist government generated fear in
Western Europe, and it 1918, the Russian royal family the Romanovs were murdered.
This means that 3 of the 5 most powerful nations in the world would not be members of
the League of Nations.

Why didnt the U.S. sign the Treaty of Versailles, and in

doing so become a member of the League of Nations?
For a treaty to be ratified in the U.S., it must receive a 2/3 majority vote
(67 senators) in the Senate.

Senate Opposition
"

Reservationists, such as Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, were concerned with Article 10 of
the Leagues charter. This article focused on collective security.
It required member nations to work together, and even supply troops, to keep peace.

"
"

Reservationists feared this would draw the U.S. into wars without approval from
Congress.

Wilsons Tour Across America

The president embarked on a 8,000mile speaking tour of the West. He spoke up to 4 times a day.
On September 25, 1919, the president collapses in Pueblo, Colorado.
His doctor stopped the tour, and Wilsons train sped back to Washington D.C. On October 2,
Wilson suffers a near-fatal stroke, leaving him paralyzed on his left-side and caused significant
brain-damage.
There is evidence that from the time the President had his stroke, till the time his term expired in
March 1921, his second wife, Edith Bolling Galt Wilson is said to have served as acting president,
making decisions for her husband.

First Lady Edith Wilson

In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts at Versailles.

On February 3, 1924, Woodrow Wilson passed away. Was buried at Washingtons

National Cathedral, the first president to be laid to rest in the nations capital.

On November 19,1919, the U.S. Senate votes on Henry Cabot Lodges version of
the Versailles Treaty with the 14 reservations. The Senate votes 39-55 in favor of
rejecting this treaty, marking the first time ever the United States has refused a peace
treaty.
Shortly after the Senate rejects the original Treaty of Versailles in a 38-53 vote.

There were three groups of Senators who voted on the

ratification of the Treaty of Versailles
Progressive Internationalists Support the Treaty
(Mostly Democrats)
Reservationists Make Changes to the Treaty
(Republicans)
Irreconcilables Reject the Treaty
(Mostly Republicans, a few Democrats)

Progressive Internationalists Support the Treaty

The Great War has taught us that reliance on isolationism and a unilateral foreign
policy is no longer feasible. Because of these changes and the fact that our old buffers
of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans can no longer shield us from the rest of the world,
we must accept the mantle of leadership that has been thrust upon us. The League of
Nations will insure the peace by providing economic, legal, and security organizations
to address global problems. This general assembly of states will offer a place for
nations to come together and discuss issues and complaints with other members in
order to solve problems before conflict occurs. The League is essential to the peace of
the world, and we must support it.

Reservationists Make Changes to the Treaty

The Great War demonstrated that the world is a dangerous place where nations base
their actions solely on their own interests. The terms of the Versailles Treaty do not
guarantee that international relations have changed. Accusations that we are isolationist
are completely false. We support America playing an active role in the new world order,
however, long-held traditions governing American foreign policy such as avoiding
foreign entanglements, are just as true today as they were before 1914. Article X, with its
declaration that all members would be obligated to enforce postwar borders, violates this
principle. The Versailles Treaty also provides for too many instances in which a body
other than Congress makes laws concerning the citizens of the United States, we suggest
making changes to the treaty to resolve these flaws.

Irreconcilables Reject the Treaty

Because of Europes incessant wars over ancient hatreds and power politics, it has always
Been in our interest to separate ourselves as far s possible from that volatile continent.

President Wilsons attempt to make the world safe for democracy was doomed from the
Start. Those who put any faith in collective security through the proposed League of
Nations are deluding themselves. Membership in any such organization would risk our
Security and embroil us in constant wars. Have we not learned form our mistakes? The
Time has come to cut off our relationship with the troubled continent of Europe. We
Should not ratify the Versailles Treaty.

Big Question:

Why didnt the U.S. sign the Treaty of Versailles?

Discussion:

If you were a senator, which group would you fall under?

See if you can convince your colleagues (classmates) to join your stance.