assignment #7:conclusion of wwi this is also the topic of hw #3 due monday 1/26 russia’s exit,...
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Assignment #7:Conclusion of WWI This is also the topic of HW #3 DUE Monday 1/26
Russia’s exit, America’s entrance and the flawed Treaty of Versailles
Write on Assignment #7
Warm-up questions (think about HW #2)
1.How was the war going for the Russians on the Eastern Front? What benefit did the Russian Army have?
2. What were some reasons colonial peoples got involved in the war?
• Russia army was LARGE but poorly equipped– Shortage of food, guns and ammunition lead to huge Russian casualties
– Kept Germany busy on Eastern front but anti war sentiment grows
• By late1916, Russia reduces efforts & in 1917 exits war totally– War sparks civil war in Russia – Communists overthrow & execute the Czar
• Leader of USSR (no longer Russia) Vladimir Lenin agrees to a peace treaty with Germany in early 1918– Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: gives up former Russian territory in exchange for
German promise to stop fighting on Eastern front
Major Development #1:Russia Pulls Out of War
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918)
Area Lost by Russia in Treaty
Major Development #2:USA enter WWI …Why? A combination of many factorshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaVP4NPTzS8
• Unrestricted submarine warfare & sinking of the Lusitania
• US trade w/Allies & Renewal of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (April 1917)
• Zimmerman Telegram
Based on what you just heard….
Summarize what arguments America might make against Germany at the trial. Talk to the person next to you in your group of four.
• President Wilson’s Idealistic 14 Points for world peace & Promise that the US will “make the world safe for democracy”
US Congress votes to enter war in April, 1917
• US supplies huge amounts of food, supplies & weapons to Allies
• Germans attempt last ditch “spring offensive” on Western Front in 1918…gain some territory
• But 10,000 US soldiers arrivingon the Western Front each day breakGerman morale
• 110,000 Americans die & 250,00wounded…a fraction of other combatants in “Great War”
Major Development #3: War Ends after Central Powers alliance crumbles and their leaders reach out to Allied leaders
seeking a truce or armistice agreed on 11/11/18
Impacts of “TOTAL” war - each flag/skull = 100,000 dead
Discuss: What information does the map give you about various country’s experience in the war?
Armistice followed by a meeting of victorious nations in Versailles to discuss a new map of Europe
and sews seeds of World War II
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro_GTBsQKG4Major Development #4: The flawed Treaty of Versailles officially
ends World War I
14 Points PROMISES
No secret treaties
Freedom of the seas
Less militarism
“Self determination” for all people
Peaceful solutions to conflicts (League of Nations)
Asian & African Colonies
Territories
Germany stripped of all colonies in Asia & Africa, but England & France do not give their colonies independence
No “Self Determination” for Asians & Africans leaves them angry
Limitations of the League of Nations
Allies control League – Central Powers shunned
Germany & Russia excluded
Little power to actually enforce peace
US becomes isolationist, rejects Treaty and does not join League of Nations
Treaty of Versailles – A Flawed Peace – WHY?Take notes on the terms of the Treaty
“War Guilt” Clause
Allies (especially French) want to punish Germany and add Article 231 saying that:
Germany solely responsible for war
Leaves Germans bitter & resentful
German Military
Restrictions
Greatly limits the size of the German Army
Germany banned from buying or manufacturing of war materials
No German subs or planes
Reparation Payments
Germany forced to pay $33 Billion to Allies Germans feel angry & cheated. Hurts German economy for years
Treaty of Versailles – Punishment for Germany
German, Austrian & Ottoman
Territorial Losses
Germany loses territory in Europe (Ex: Alsace-Lorraine, Sudetenland) Several new nations founded as Austria-Hungary collapses in Eastern Europe Ottoman Turks lose Middle Eastern empire to British & French
What specific problems do you predict will arise out of this treaty?
Treaty of Versailles – What about the other Central Powers?
America is far away, protected by the ocean. Not even Napoleon could defeat England. You are both sheltered; we are not…Georges Clemenceau, France
The terms are in many respects terrible terms to impose upon a country. Terrible were the deeds which it requites... Germany not merely provoked, but planned the most devastating war the earth has ever seen... She deliberately embarked upon it, not to defend herself against assailants, but to aggrandize herself at the expense of her neighbours. I cannot think of a worse crime. [The aim of the Treaty is] to compel Germany, in so far as it is in her power, to restore, to repair and to redress. Yes, and to take every possible precaution of every kind that is in our power against the recurrence of another such crime - to make such an example as will discourage ambitious peoples from ever attempting to repeat the infamy. David Lloyd George, England
The disgraceful Treaty is being signed today. Don’t forget it!We will never stop until we win back what we deserve.German newspaper, 28 June 1919.
Differing Attitudes on the Treaty of Versailles: WHY WOULD these people say this given their country’s experience?
Major Development #5: Treaty of Versailles redraws the map ofEurope and European colonies around the world