End of World War I

World War I: Global Connections

WWI Comes to an End Allied forces were weakened when Russia withdrew from the war and signed a peace treaty with Germany. United States enters war with over 1 million American reinforcements, making up for the loss of the Russians The Americans were “fresh” bodies and newly trained, unlike the Germans and French who worn down from the fighting and had already suffered millions of causalities. By 1918, the war was hurting Germany’s economy which left many German civilians without money for food and supplies. The German people rebelled and a mutiny of soldiers forced the German Emperor to step down In Austria-Hungary a revolution divided the nation and its resources Central Powers were lacking the support of their people to continue fighting and eventually the central powers began to surrender

The Armistice (Cease Fire) Armistice is an agreement to end the war, NOT a treaty of surrender. Ottoman Empire surrendered first. Austria-Hungary then surrendered and signed a peace treaty. Then Germany surrendered. Germany had to leave all territories it occupied, surrender all military aircraft, tanks and u-boats. Germany was forced to allow Allied troops occupy some of Germany’s territory. People believed this was the great world war was “the war to end all wars.”

Paris Peace Conference January 1919, the allied leaders got together to try to resolve the issues from WWI The main leaders were the “Big Four.” U.S.-President Woodrow Wilson Britain-Prime Minister David George France-Premier Georges Clemenceau Italy-Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando

Different Approaches to Peace Britain: Make Germany pay. France: Revenge and Security from Germany. U.S.: World Organization to prevent future wars. Italy: Not as influential

France’s revenge Strip Germany of all weapons, reparations and establish the Rhineland in between France and Germany as a buffer.

Wilson’s Plan of Peace Wilson’s plan was known as the Fourteen points. Based on the principle of “Justice and Peace to all people and nationalities.” It was a list of 14 ways to prevent future wars

Fourteen Points Points 1-5 dealt with international laws and regulations to prevent conflicts between nations. Points 6-13 dealt with self determination (right of each people to have its own nation) and reestablishing boundaries between nations Also, required all Central Powers (Germany, Austria- Hungary, Ottoman Empire) to leave and give up all conquered territory not theirs before the start of war. 14 th point established the League of Nations.

League of Nations A group of Nations all working together to settle disputes peacefully. Wilson wanted a New World Order for international cooperation and democracy

Treaty of Versailles Harsh peace agreement War Guilt Clause: declared Germany and Austria were responsible for starting the war Ordered Germany to pay reparations to Allied nations for the damage “they” had caused. Germany reduced its Army to 100,000, cut back its Navy and completely eliminate its Air Force. Germany lost parts of its land, some to a new country called Poland. The Rhineland was demilitarized as a way to hopefully be a barrier between France and Germany.

A New Map of Europe The map of Eastern Europe was redrawn German and Russian Empires lost territory Austria-Hungary was dissolved New nations were established: Poland, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Austria and Hungary. Romania expanded Many new nations appeared due to Wilson’s 14 points’ idea of self determination

Europe Before WWI

Europe After WWI

Mandate System Wilson was opposed to Allied nations annexing territory New territories were called mandates because the European nation did not own the other nation but controlled or governed it. EX: Italy and Libya or Britain and Iraq

Middle East After WWI

One thing you should know about WWI

Sedition Act-Outlawed speaking, writing or drawing anything that could hurt the war effort. German anti-sentiment grew and Americans tried to eliminate all things German in America. influenza epidemic was so severe that half all American soldiers in the war died from it. United States emerged as the new leading economic power in the world after the end of war. United States never joined the League of Nations because many in Congress felt its power could over rule the Power of Congress to declare war and thus force the U.S. to fight in another foreign war.

Red Scare Begins Communism began to be associated with being unpatriotic due to Russia pulling out of the war and signing a peace treaty with Germany Americans feared revolution in the United States and Europe due to weakened governments and militaries after WWI Attacks and bombings across the U.S. led many to believe they were carried out by Communist revolutionaries. U.S. Attorney General established a special division within the Justice department called the Intelligence Division led by J. Edgar Hoover. Later it became the FBI.

The League of Nations - the first 'world organization‘-4mins

League of Nations in 10mins