The End of World War 1

Show video clip, 1918 Armistice

Armistice! (A Truce)

By 1918, Germans could no longer fight.

Their troops and wartime economy were too exhausted.

The truce between the allies and Germany was signed on 11 / 11/ 11 1918.

Marked the end of fighting

Paris Conference

The Allies met in Paris to discuss the terms of a peace agreement.

Prime Minister Borden fought successfully for Canada to have its own seat at the Paris Peace Conference, and not simply be represented by Britain.

Seen as a another sign of Canadian independence.

The Treaty of Versailles: June 28th 1919

This document set out the terms of the peace agreement.

Unrealistic measures would come back to haunt the world as they would again be at war just twenty years later.

1. Blame: War Guilt Clause

Germany had to acknowledge and accept all responsibilities for causing the War.

2. Reparations

Germany had to pay war reparations totaling $33 Billion Dollars.

These terms were particularly harsh in that Germany’s economy was in ruins making it impossible for it to make the expected payments.

3. Demilitarized Germany

German army was limited to 100,000 men.

No more submarines, tanks, or planes.

4. Germany Loses its Colonies

All German colonies were given to England and France

Territory The map of Europe was to be redrawn.

Weaknesses of the Treaty of Versailles

Devastated Germany

Russia was ignored

Divided Germany and Austria-Hungary

Reminder:

Canada committed over 600,000 troops to the war effort.

The number of Canadians who lost their life was roughly 60,000.

Of the 600,000 Canadian troops… 1/4 were injured 1/10 were killed

Allied powers Mobilized personnel Killed in action Wounded in action Total casualties Cas.

Australia 412,9531 61,928[10] 152,171 214,099 52%

Belgium 267,0003 38,172[11] 44,686 82,858 31%

Canada 628,9641 64,944[12] 149,732 214,676 34%

France 8,410,0003 1,397,800[13] 4,266,000 5,663,800 67%

Greece 230,0003 26,000[14] 21,000 47,000 20%

India 1,440,4371 74,187[15] 69,214 143,401 10%

Italy 5,615,0003 651,010[16] 953,886 1,604,896 29%

Japan 800,0003 415[17] 907 1,322 <1%

Montenegro 50,0003 3,000 10,000 13,000 26%

Nepal 200,000 30,000 ? ? ?

New Zealand 128,5251 18,050[18] 41,317 59,367 46%

Portugal 100,0003 7,222[19] 13,751 20,973 21%

Romania 750,0003 250,000[20] 120,000 370,000 49%

Russia 12,000,0003 1,811,000[21] 4,950,000 6,761,000 56%

Serbia 707,3433 275,000[22] 133,148 408,148 58%

South Africa 136,0701 9,463[23] 12,029 21,492 16%

United Kingdom 6,211,9222 886,342[24] 1,665,749 2,552,091 41%

United States 4,355,0003 116,708[25] 205,690 322,398 7%

Total 42,243,214 5,691,241 12,809,280 18,500,521 44%

Group Class Activity: In pairs, discuss the following two questions:

1) Do you think that enthusiasm for the war would have been so high if these figures had been predicted?

2) Do these figures reflect a proportionally extreme effort on the part of Canadians? Did Canada do too much?

The Twist-- Each group member must take a different side to the question. One must agree and the other disagree providing evidence.