US President Woodrow Wilson wanted the nation to

• US President Woodrow Wilson wanted the nation to remain officially neutral in its position to the European conflict. - But the new, industrial power known as America was BANKING off the war. • Wilson and the US public favored the Triple Entente; especially in terms of exporting their wartime goods. • This created a rift between the US and the Central Powers. Was this scenario truly neutral? Truly? - Germany’s policy of unrestricted submarine warfare would complicate the situation immensely. • In May of 1915, a German U-boat sank the Lusitania believing it carried supplies; killing over 1, 000 civilians which included 128 Americans.

• …was a German military request (to Mexico) promoting the idea of a surprise attack on the US. • Mexico’s empire stretched as far as California well into the 1800’s. • Imagine President Wilson’s reaction! Did that seriously just happen? • By this point, the war seemed inevitable. **President Wilson embraced the idea of being able to dictate the terms of the treaty at the wars end. • Although the country was not entirely for it, Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on April 2, 1917.

War At Home

Dogfights FOKKER DR 1

• The fighting conditions, in addition to the creation of new weaponry, made this a horrific experience. • Poor leadership led to millions of deaths as a result of using old military strategies with new technology. * Grenades, tanks, airplanes, poison gas, flamethrowers and machine guns.

• Trench warfare was the main reason for lengthy, bloody battles which gained little to no land. • Soldiers endured months of hardships in the trenches including: Lice, rats, disease and starvation. • “Going over the top” and attacking the other trenches lead to millions of deaths and very little gains.

• Started out horribly for the Allies as the horror of the stalemate continued in the West. - Russia suffered greatly abroad and at home during the war. - In 1917, the Bolshevik Revolution began in Russia and the country went into civil war. • By the end, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was established… the Communist USSR.

• On the west, the 2 million fresh American troops were landing in France. • The toll of the war took its toll on Germany’s allies; the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary were defeated by the fall of 1918. - Germany, the most aggressive and dangerous of the Central Powers, would suddenly have to surrender. • On the 11 th minute of the 11 th hour of the 11 th day of the 11 th month, Germany signed a peace treaty ending World War I.

• Prime Minister David Lloyd George of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Vittorio Emanuele Orlando of Italy, Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau of France, and President Woodrow Wilson of the United States. ** Germany and Austria. Hungary were not invited to the Treaty Conference. - Thus, they could not discuss the terms; they simply had to agree with whatever the Allies decided upon.

• Woodrow Wilson proposed his Fourteen Points as a peace plan which included: - Establish a League of Nations. - No secret treaties. - Freedom of the seas. - Eliminate tariffs. - Arms reductions. - Colonial policies in favor of the colonial residents. - Less vengeful peace treaties. • However, the other members of the “Big Four” had different goals. - Britain and France wanted revenge. - Italy wanted the land it was promised for joining the Allies. • Wilson was forced to give up most of his ideas for the establishment of the League of Nations.

General Clauses • War Guilt Clause - Germany to accept blame for starting the war. • The establishment of the League of Nations. Financial Clauses • Reparations - Germany was to pay for the damage caused by the war. The figure of £ 6, 600 million was set some time after the signing of the treaty. Military Clauses • Army - was to be reduced to 100, 000 men and no tanks were allowed. • Navy - Germany was only allowed 6 ships and no submarines. • Air force - Germany was not allowed an air force. • Rhineland - The Rhineland area was to be kept free of German military personnel and weapons. Territorial Clauses • ‘Anschluss’ - Germany was not allowed to unite with Austria.

It is historically debatable whether the Treaty of Versailles was effective or not. - Is strict and severe punishment of the losing nations the way to go? How much mercy should be given? Should Germany and Austria-Hungary have been invited to the Treaty Conference? • In groups of one or two, create your own Treaty of Versailles in order to bring an end to World War I; and thus ensure it will never happen again. This should include: • A Cover Sheet. Include the names of the countries invited, the location of the Conference and a drawing representing World War I or the Treaty. Also, your name and period. • A detailed introductory paragraph which outlines the goals of your Treaty Conference. Who will attend? Or will not? Where should it be held? Which Allied leader should oversee the proceedings? The Big Four? Russia too? THINK! • Next, in bullet-form… - What would be your General Clauses? Financial Clauses? Military? Territorial? - Three clauses per category is required. Each clause will have a brief sentence describing your reason for choosing it. **Again, keep in mind: The idea was for some nations, such as the United States, was to be lenient and prevent further conflict. For others, such as France and Belgium, punishment and revenge was priority.