1. The Conclusion of the First World War

2. First World War: The Road to Peace Timeline of Events
March 3, 1917: Soviet Russia concludes separate peace negotiations with Germany in Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
April 6, 1917: US declares war on Germany
November, 1917: The Bolsheviks under Lenin seize control in Russia
March 21, 1918: Germany launches “Spring Offensive”, eventually mounting five major offensives against Allied forces, starting with the Battle of Picardy against the British
July 18, 1918: Allies counterattack against German forces, seizing initiative
August 8, 1918: Successful Amiens offensive forces all German troops back to the Hindenburg Line; "black day" for German army

3. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

4. First World War: The Final Days 1918
September 29, 1918: Bulgaria concludes armistice negotiations.
October 30, 1918: Turkey concludes an armistice with the Allies.
November 3, 1918: Austria-Hungary concludes an armistice.
November 7, 1918: Germany begins negotiations with the Allies
November 9, 1918: Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates, flees to the Netherlands.
November 10, 1918: German Republic is founded.
November 11, 1918: Armistice Day; fighting ceases at 11am

5. The Post-War Period: 1919
January 18: Start of peace negotiations in Paris.
January 25: Peace conference accepts principle of a League of Nations.
February 14: Draft covenant of League of Nations completed.
- Canada an independent member nation
May 6: Peace conference disposes of German colonies.
May 7 - June 28: Treaty of Versailles drafted and signed.
- Canada signs treaty independent of Britain

6. The League of Nations
An International alliance for the preservation of peace
Idea of US President Woodrow Wilson, although the United States never joins due to Congressional opposition
Existed from 1920 to 1946
First meeting held in Geneva, November 15, 1920 with 42 nations represented
Last meeting was held on April 8, 1946; at that time the league was superseded by the United Nations

7. Treaty of Versailles: Terms
Germany had to accept the Blame for starting the war
Germany surrendered all colonies to Britain and France
Germany returned region of Alsace-Lorraine to France
Danzig became a free city
Occupation and special status of the Saar region under French control
Demilitarization and 15 year occupation of the Rhineland
Germans pay reparations of 6.6 billion GBP
Ban of union between Germany and Austria
Limiting of Germany’s army to 100,000 men with no conscription, tanks, artillery, air force, and a navy limited to 6 battleships with no submarines
Germany was forbidden to join the League of Nations and signed the treaty under protest
The United States government refused to ratify the treaty

8. Germany’s Territorial Losses

9. Pre-War Map of Europe

10. Map of Europe Following Versailles and Other Peace Agreements

11. Sykes-Picot Treaty (May 16,1916)