The End of WWI The U S Enters

The End of WWI

The U. S. Enters the War ► The Germans announced a policy of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare- sink any ship near Britain. ► The US was neutral at the time and continued trading with Britain, Germany upset. ► American lives were being lost- German torpedoes were sinking ships in the Atlantic (ex. Lusitania in 1915, 128 Americans died), Pres. Wilson upset. ► The sinking of these ships, plus the Zimmerman note, would prompt the US to join the war.

Lusitania, British Passenger Ship

Lusitania, Today

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

President Woodrow Wilson

Zimmerman Telegram ► The British intercepted a telegram to the German ambassador in Mexico. ► Telegram asked Mexico to ally with Germany and start a war with the US to keep them distracted. ► Germany would give Mexico money and help them regain lost lands ► Pres. Wilson was outraged and this was the last straw- asked Congress to declare war against Germany (April 1917). ► The US joined the side of the Allies

Total War ► WWI was a total war- all aspects of the country were dedicated to the war effort. ► Rationing was a common practicegovernments only allowed small amounts of food and supplies to be purchased. ► Propaganda also used to encourage people to support/join the war. ► Women worked the factories to make up for the men being gone.

Russia Withdraws from the War • • Civil unrest due to lack of food, supplies Czar Nicholas abdicated the throne By 1917 - 5. 5 million casualties Communist leader Lenin seized power & signed a truce with Germany (ends war March 1918) Germany can now focus on W. Front With U. S. help, the Central Powers were defeated. 11/11/1918 at 11 o’clock- Armistice signed to end the war. Veteran’s Day

Aftermath of WWI ► By the Numbers: § Estimated cost $338 billion § 8. 5 million soldiers died § 21 million more wounded § Millions of civilians were killed

Aftermath of WWI U. S. 117, 000 France 1, 385, 000 Britain 703, 000 Russia 1, 700, 000 Italy 460, 000 Germany 1, 718, 000 Austria H 1, 200, 000

Effects of WWI ► World War I had four main effects: Millions of lives lost Countries bankrupted by war Land, towns, and villages destroyed § “The lost generation” § § § ► Those who returned were scared, insecure, desperate, and many questioned the meaning of life

The Allies Meet at Versailles ► On January 18, 1919 the allies met at the Paris Peace Conference. ► 32 countries attended but most of the decisions were made by the “Big Four”: § United States- Pres. Wilson § France- Georges Clemenceau § Great Britain- David Lloyd George § Italy- Vittorio Orlando Ø Germany and its allies were not invited.

The Fourteen Points ► ► ► Woodrow Wilson’s plan to build a lasting peace in Europe It was a speech that he delivered to Congress in January 8, 1918 - before the armistice Some believe it was part of the reason why the Central Powers eventually surrendered. They though the treaty would be a just one and based on Wilson’s 14 points Very little of the 14 points were added to the final treaty. Britain and France thought it was too easy on Germany Wilson won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 for his efforts

The Fourteen Points ► The § § § key points: End of secret treaties Freedom of the seas Free trade Reduced army and navy sizes Self-determination § Other points were specific suggestions for changing borders and creating new nations

The Allies Dictate a Harsh Peace ► Great Britain and France thought the Fourteen Points were too easy on Germany. ► Georges Clemenceau (Premier of France) wanted to punish Germany by dismantling their army and making them pay for the war.

Discussion Question ► What are two reasons that France may have wanted to punish Germany more than the United States did?

The Treaty of Versailles ► The Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on June 28, 1919 (exactly 5 years after the death of the Archduke) ► The treaty had four major provisions:

The Treaty of Versailles Provision #1 ► League of Nations: -International peace organization; membership included Allied nations as well as 32 other ones -Germany and Russia were excluded

Treaty of Versailles Provision #2 ► Territorial Losses: § Germany had to return Alsace & Lorraine to France’s border was extended to the Rhine River. § Germany had to give up all of its colonies in Africa and the Pacific.

Treaty of Versailles Provision #3 ► Military Restrictions § German army could be no larger than 100, 000. § Germany prohibited from manufacturing or importing weapons or war material. § Germany forbidden to build submarines or air force.

► War Treaty of Versailles Provision #4 Guilt or War Reparations: § Responsibility for the war was mainly placed on Germany. § Germany had to pay the Allies over $30 billion to cover the costs of the war ► Today’s equivalent: $442 billion US dollars ► Germany finally paid off this debt in 2010! ► War payments were not only paid in cash, but also resources like coal, steel and intellectual property such as the Aspirin patent (owned by German company Bayer)

The Creation of New Nations ► To split up the Central Powers, many new countries were created after WWI ► New countries included: § Poland § Czechoslovakia § Yugoslavia

A Peace Built on Quicksand ► The U. S. ultimately rejected the Treaty of Versailles, didn’t get 2/3 vote of approval in Congress ► Many Germans were left with bitterness and hatred ► Instead of building a lasting peace, the stage was set for World War II