The War Comes to an End

Defeat of Central Powers Treaty of Brest Litovsk Russia is out of war Allows Germany to concentrate on Western Front Germans reach Marne River Allies (incl US now) repel Germans Bulgaria surrenders 09/30/18 Ottoman Empire surrenders 10/30/18

Defeat of Central Powers Austria-Hungary breaks apart, sets up two separate governments, fall 1918 US tells Germany it will only deal with a representative government of the German people Under German military and civilian unrest the Kaiser abdicates throne in early November 1918

WWI Armistice November 11, 1918

Armistice November 1918 armistice signed All fighting to cease at 11:11 AM on November 11, 1918 American Henry Gunther is generally recognized as the last soldier killed in action in World War I. He was killed 60 seconds before the armistice came into force while charging astonished German troops who were aware the Armistice was nearly upon them.

Armistice Germany agrees to: Cancel Brest Litovsk Give up large part of navy (all U-boats) Turn over munitions Free prisoners of war Allied occupation west of Rhine

Fourteen Point Plan January 1918 Wilson gives Congress an overview of his ideas of what should be once the war is over Six general points Eight remaining points deal with specific countries and regions

Fourteen Points (6 gen’l) No secret treaties Freedom of the seas for all nations Removal of all economic barriers Reduction of national armaments Establishment of “general association of nations” Adjustment of colonial claims so fair to both sides (imperial and colonial)

Paris Peace Conference Big Four (US, GB, Fr, It) dominate conference Some countries excluded Russia (now USSR) not invited Central Powers have little or no representation Desire for territories and ethnic nationalism are overriding factors

Paris Peace Conference Wilson pushing for a fair plan to all European Allies want harsh terms Reparations-who and how much? New republics in Austria, Hungary, Russia, Germany “League of Nations”

Paris Peace Conference Wilson pushing his “14 Points” No official objections but… European Allies feel hatred toward Germany, responsible for war Still want secret treaties dividing Cent. Power’s colonies among themselves Fr believes Germany must be split and various regions occupied by Allies

Vocabulary/Items Fourteen Points Armistice Treaty of Brest Litovsk Reparations Paris Peace Conference League of Nations