The Russian Revolution overthrows the monarchy – death of Tsar Nicholas & family Revolutionary government is overthrown by the communists New leader, Lenin, made peace with Germany Russia is out of the war in January 1918

Canada made a significant contribution to the war during the last 100 days. Canadian Troops gained 130Km along the Western front to push the Germans out of France and Belgium (but not all the way into Germany)

U.S. joined the war in late 1917, providing reinforcements necessary to push back and defeat the final German offensive Germany is on the edge of collapse German leader, Wilhelm, gives up power New government surrenders: WAR IS OVER

Several developments contributed to the end of WWI The sinking of the Lusitania brings the U.S into the war, providing reinforcements along the Western Front (Germany concentrates all troops along the W.F) Allied pressure broke up the Triple Alliance in Nov By the fall of 1918 Germany was starved, defeated and retreating Kaiser Wilhelm gives up power and the new government decides to extend peace to the allies although there is no formal surrender

The Allies and Germany signed an armistice – agreement to stop fighting Armstice day = while a settlement is negotiated, all fighting has ended The armistice took effect on November 11, 1918 at 11 am. Guns across the Western front fell silent On November 11 th, 1918 the world celebrated the armistice as the end of the war. Many soldiers believed the Armistice was only temporary and the war would continue so there was no celebration on the front lines The battle for the peace was just beginning…

Government leaders met in Paris in 1919 to decide how to effectively create lasting peace and compensate countries of the loses incurred as a result of war Canada was permitted two seats at the Paris Peace Conference because of its significant contribution to the war effort (but not allowed to vote here) As a result Canada was given a seat/vote in the newly formed “League of Nations” an international body designed to stop future wars

The Treaty of Versailles dealt specifically with Germany Meant to ensure that WWI was the “war to end all wars” Throughout the spring of 1919 the Treaty of Versailles was completed and presented to Germany for consideration Rendered Germany a crippled nation, stripped of its wealth and armed forces as well as lay the blame of the war on Germany Germany was humbled and forced to pay reparations ($4 billion) to other European countries for damage done during the war After months of negotiation the Treaty of Versailles was accepted by the Germans and signed at the Palace of Versailles on June 28, 1919

Controversial even today, it is often argued that the terms of the treaty supported the rise of the Nazis and the Third Reich in 1930s Germany, which in turn led to the outbreak of World War II. The Versailles treaty deprived Germany of around 13.5% of its 1914 territory (some seven million people) and all of its overseas possessions. Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France, and Belgium was enlarged in the east with the addition of the formerly German border areas of Eupen and Malmedy. Among other territorial re-arrangements, an area of East Prussia was handed over to Lithuania, and the Sudetenland to Czechoslovakia. The German army was limited to a maximum of 100,000 men, and a ban placed upon the use of heavy artillery, gas, tanks and aircraft. The German navy was similarly restricted to shipping under 10,000 tons, with a ban on submarines.