The End of WWI The last 100 days & the Treaty of Versailles

Ms. Strong – Preston High School

Central Powers CollapseThree important events in 1917 changed the

direction of the war:

1) U.S. angered by the sinking of neutral ships – Lusitania… Declared WAR on Germany

2) Bolshevik (communist) Revolutionaries on Russia overthrew the Czar

3) Russians signed a tough peace treaty with Germany, freeing the Kaiser’s (King’s) troops to move to the Western Front

Why did the Lusitania sink?The log of the U-boat stated clearly that the

submarine had only fired one torpedo

There was a second explosion, which lead to the sinking

It is thought the second explosion occurred because ***the ship was carrying small arms and ammunition***

Therefore a legitimate target for the Germans

German CollapseWith Russia out of the war, Germany’s last

chance was to conquer Paris before American troops reached France

March 1918: Germans used massed attacks at weak points to drive deep into France (positions won by Canadians, Ypres, the Somme, Passchendaele- were lost in weeks)

By summer, the front line was 75 km’s from Paris

The “Hundred Days”Allied troops underwent secret

counteroffensive attack

Thousands or soldiers and tonnes of artillery were secretly gathered at Amiens (French railway city)

Alliance was completely surprised when they were attacked and the Entente captured 13km of territory in one day!

This final offensive lasted between August and November 1918

The Last 100 DaysThe German forces were forced to retreat

Much destruction = as the forces were withdrawing, they destroyed roads, bridges, factories, etc. to slow down the Allies' pursuit so they could establish a last defensive line at their own border

In September and October Canadian soldiers broke through Germany’s defence

Won important battles (Arras, Cambrai, and Valenciennes)

100 Days Continued

Canadians captured more territory, prisoners and equipment than the American Army 6 times larger!

They defeated ¼ of the entire German Army

Alliance countries collapsed one by one

Fighting ended at 11:00 am on November 11th, 1918 (Remembrance Day)

ArmisticeGermany asked

for an Armistice – 11am, November 11, 1918

An armistice – agreement to end the war Cease Fire

Canadian Casualties60,000 killed and 172,000 wounded

Oh YEAH! And there was a Spanish Flu: Swept across the world killing millions (21 million world wide, twice death poll of entire war)

Soldiers brought the virus back to North America

50, 000 Canadians lost their lives to virus

Virus forced cancellation of 1919 Stanley Cup after 4 games

Paris Peace ConferenceThis was the Formal End to WWI

Held in 1919; Palace of Versailles

Outcome of this conference was of greatest importance to Germany

Yet had a lasting effect on other nations; including Canada

Originally Canada was not to have any delegates at the Conference

Prime Minister Borden insisted upon having representation and was allowed to send 4 people

Borden & PM Lloyd George“Mr. Prime Minister, I want to tell you that if there is ever a repetition of Passchendaele, not a Canadian soldier will

ever leave the shore of Canada so long as the Canadian people entrust the Government of my

country to my hands.”

The Treaty of VersaillesPlan for German surrender; emphasizing

peace and forgiveness

French Prime Minister wanted revenge and repayment from Germany

Most of the war had been fought in Northern France, leaving it in ruins

Treaty of Versailles – The New Map of Europe

Europe 1918 Europe 1919

Wilson’s 14 PointsU.S president Woodrow Wilson created the

“14 Points” speech 10 months before the war ended

The “14 Points” had been leaked behind enemy lines prior to the Paris Peace Conference

Was thought of as “Propaganda” by the Germans

Some say that the points were “Fair” and would have left the Germans at peace

Because the “14 Points” were not part of the Treaty, the Germans were angered

Major Parts of the Treaty of VersaillesReparations: (Pay Back)

$5 Billion in first two years (totalling $30 billion)

Unspecific future amounts (linked to the war debts of Britain & France)

War Guilt: Germany forced to sign a document accepting responsibility for the war

Military Limitations: 100 000 men in army, no airforce, no submarines, tanks, etc.

Loss of Land: Creation of Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary

Germany hesitated to sign the Treaty because they thought it was very harsh – They agreed to the 14 Points which had been leaked out prior to the Conference

They eventually agreed to sign it out of fear of the threat to resume fighting

Many will say that the Treaty did not bring peace, but instead the certainty of a renewed war in the future

Treaty was signed on June 28th, 1919

“ We will have to fight another war all over again in 25 years at three times the cost.” – PM Lloyd George

Think/Pair/ShareWhat were some of the conditions that

Germany was faced with in the implementation of the Treaty of Versailles?

What condition(s) do you think would be most detrimental to the Germans? Why?

Do you think the Treaty of Versailles will be able to be successful?

Would Wilson's Fourteen Points have been more successful if it had of been implemented fully? Could it have prevented World War II?