World History II – December 2012

End of World War I

The war on the Western Front had been in a stalemate for nearly four years

Trench warfareMinor gains or losses

for each side but no major movement

European nations face dwindling resources and decreasing public support

On the Western Front

• Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 3, 1918)

• Cedes territory to Germany and Austria-Hungary

On the Eastern Front

This frees Germany to focus on the Western Front!

Russian (Bolshevik) Revolution forces Russia to withdraw from WWI

Initial neutralityPresident Wilson tried repeatedly to get

belligerents to make peaceWilson wants to “make the world safe for

democracy”Germany starts using submarines to attack

British commercial and passenger shipsLusitania – British ship carrying 128 American

civiliansU.S. threatens to enter war Germans stop submarine attacks but start again

in January 1917

United States enters the war

Zimmermann TelegramInvites Mexico to join the war

as Germany’s ally against the U.S.

Promises to help Mexico regain territory lost in Mexican-American War

Telegram is intercepted by British, decoded, and passed on to U.S.

U.S. declares war April 1917Bringing new supplies, fresh

troops, and a boost in morale

United States enters the war (cont.)

Delivered in a speech to Congress January 8, 1918

Intended to justify great expense of U.S. entry into war

The most important ones were There should be no secret alliances

between countriesThe general reduction and eventual

elimination of armamentsSelf-determination for all nations (this

is a combination of several points)The creation of a league of nations to

ensure future peace

Wilson’s 14 Points

The German offensive started in March 1918 Initially successful and German troops almost reach Paris

(about 50 miles away)Eventually fails

Dwindling resourcesDecreasing support from German citizensCannot compete with U.S. involvement

By August, General Ludendorff realizes they cannot possibly win and advises Kaiser to surrender to the Allies

Allies will not make peace with an autocratic governmentAfter much public pressure, Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates and is

replaced by a democratic leaderArmistice is reached November 11, 1918

This is just a cease-fire, not a formal treaty

The beginning of the end

Negotiations begin in January 1919 in ParisRepresentatives from 27 victorious Allied

nations attend the conferenceThe Big Four (who were really the big three)

U.S. wanted to establish League of Nations for lasting peace

Great Britain wanted to make Germany pay reparations for war damages

France wanted to make Germany pay reparations for war damages, to disarm Germany, and to ensure national security

…And Italy was just happy to be included

Treaty of Versailles

War Guilt ClauseGermany (and Austria) must agree to accept

full responsibility for the warReparations

DisarmamentLoss of territory

Poland and Alsace LorraineRhine River DMZ

Terms of the Treaty with Germany