the end of wwi, and the treaty of versailles

M. DiLuccio

America joins the war with the Allies (April 1917).

Why? Because Germans kept sinking American ships with U-boats from 1915-1917.

Germany also wanted Mexico to go to war with America in January 1917.

America in the WarBy mid- 1918, there were over 1 Million American

soldiers in Europe, and many more arriving.

These pictures shows the sinking of an American ship (called the “Lusitania”) in 1915.

The Russians revolted, demanding Land, Bread and Peace (Russian revolution)

In March 1918 the Russians signed a separate peace treaty with Germany, the treaty of Brest-Litovsk and Germany turned all armies to the Western Front

Germany began their last offensive in April 1918. They advanced 60km but were held back by Britain, Canada and France

The fighting continued on the Western Front in Belgium and France into 1918

Neither side could win decisive (important/big) battle that would guarantee victory

Soldiers on all sides began to question the point of war

Starting in August 1918, the Allies used a series of attacks to push back the Germans

Canadians were very important in helping with this.

They successfully broke through the Hindenburg line

General Arthur Currie considered it Canada’s greatest achievement in WWI.

LINK

October 1918 – Austro-Hungarian Empire splits up; separate states negotiate peace with Allies

November 1918 – revolution in Germany; Kaiser (King)

steps down; republic declared

Riots/Protests began in Germany because of food shortages and protests against the war

Some members of the German navy refused to go to sea. It was obvious that Germany had lost the war.

An armistice (agreement / treaty) to end the war was signed on November 11, 1918

Paris Peace Conference, 1919Allies discuss terms of peace agreementPM Robert Borden demands and gets his own

seat at the peace conference. He wanted Canada to represent itself, instead of being represented by Britain.

Borden also signed the treaty after the conference.

Britain, France, and USA did most of the talking.

The result was the Treaty of Versailles

Signed on June 28, 1919This created the terms of peace with Germany. The world blamed Germany for starting the war.

Foreign governments forced Germany to do the following:

1. Germany and its allies must accept full responsibility for the war.

2. All German business in other countries was taken away and given away

3. Germany was not allowed to build their army along the French- German border.

4. Germany needed to give up control of their coal mines to France

5. Germany had to give the land it took from France back to France

6. Germany could not make an alliance with new countries

7. Germany had to have a smaller army

8. Germany had to pay reparations to France,

Britain, Russia and their friends

Reparations = I’m sorry money

League of Nations is Created under the Treaty

Similar to United Nations (UN)To make sure that every country is secure, and no country is attacked. Canada was an independent member of the League

Problems with League of Nations

Required co-operation between countries

No military force. Only economic force.

America refused to Join, even though it was the President’s Ideas

Controlled by League of NationsLand given to other countries What remained of Germany

Question:

Was the Treaty of Versailles Fair????

In Canada we observe Remembrance Day

It is a day to remember the soldiers who fought for our freedom

It is observed at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, we pause for a moment to remember our soldiers

Therefore, we observe Remembrance Day on November 11th because the armistice was signed on November 11th 1918

World War I (1914-1918)

•628,736 Canadians served •66,573 died•138,166 were wounded •2,818 were prisoners of war•175 merchant seamen died by enemy action

World War II (1939-1945)

*1,031,902 male Canadians and 49,963 female Canadians served*44,927 died*53,145 were wounded*8,271 were taken prisoner of war*1,146 merchant seamen died by enemy action

The Korean War (1950-1953)

*26,791 Canadians served*516 died*1,558 were wounded*33 were taken prisoner of war

The Gulf War (1990-1991)

*3,837 male Canadians and 237 female Canadians served*there were a few Canadian casualties during the war*no Canadians were taken prisoner

16 Million People dead worldwide (10 million soldiers, 6 million civilians)

21 million wounded/injured

Veterans did not have good pensions or special medical services.

Not many jobs for veterans

Spanish Influenza (disease) …..

Spanish Influenza (disease) spread by soldiers returning home.

21 million dead worldwide (55,000 Canadians)

Many small aboriginal communities almost destroyed.

Schools and public places closed for months.

People had to wear breathing masks in some places

It had many effects

EconomyWomen’s rightsInternational reputationFrench-English RelationsRacismThousands Dead and WoundedCanadian Pride and independence