Central Powers CollapseCentral Powers CollapseBy the summer of 1918 with the Americans By the summer of 1918 with the Americans were now fully engulfed in the war and were now fully engulfed in the war and Germany was struggling to keep up the Germany was struggling to keep up the conflict.conflict.Germany made one final push to take lands Germany made one final push to take lands poorly protected in Northern France which poorly protected in Northern France which resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.During the last “Hundred Days” of the war During the last “Hundred Days” of the war Canadians helped overcome the tired and Canadians helped overcome the tired and depleted German army.depleted German army. The Central Powers knew it was over.The Central Powers knew it was over.

End Of The War TimelineEnd Of The War Timeline

January 1918: Wilson’s 14 points made publicJanuary 1918: Wilson’s 14 points made public More about this laterMore about this later

3 March 1918: Treaty of Brest-Litovsk3 March 1918: Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

11 November 1918: Armistice signed11 November 1918: Armistice signed

18 January 1919: Peace of Paris convened18 January 1919: Peace of Paris convened

28 June 1919: Treaty of Versailles signed28 June 1919: Treaty of Versailles signed

The Results Of World War IThe Results Of World War IThe retreat of the German army after it’s defeat at the The retreat of the German army after it’s defeat at the hands of the allies caused political upheaval in Germany hands of the allies caused political upheaval in Germany and Austria-Hungary. The result was widespread and Austria-Hungary. The result was widespread anarchy and revolution. anarchy and revolution.

The Austro-Hungarian empire dissolved into new states.The Austro-Hungarian empire dissolved into new states.

The Russian and Turkish empires disintegrated.The Russian and Turkish empires disintegrated.

The Kaiser abdicated on 17 of October and went into The Kaiser abdicated on 17 of October and went into exile, and Germany became a republic.exile, and Germany became a republic.

The War had cost 10 million dead and 21 million The War had cost 10 million dead and 21 million wounded. It caused mass extermination of a generation. wounded. It caused mass extermination of a generation.

Financial costs were estimated at $330 billion.Financial costs were estimated at $330 billion.

Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles

Leaders from the various powers met to discuss the Leaders from the various powers met to discuss the terms of a lasting peace.terms of a lasting peace.

The most important terms included:The most important terms included: WAR GUILT CLAUSE - Germany accepting responsibility WAR GUILT CLAUSE - Germany accepting responsibility

for the conflict. (*later becomes a cause of WWII)for the conflict. (*later becomes a cause of WWII) REPARATIONS - Germany had to pay out $30 billion.REPARATIONS - Germany had to pay out $30 billion. Germany’s enhanced territory was shrunk to create Germany’s enhanced territory was shrunk to create

Poland and hinder its own growth.Poland and hinder its own growth. German forces were restricted in what they were allowed German forces were restricted in what they were allowed

to make and do (especially concerning the military and to make and do (especially concerning the military and industrialization).industrialization).

War Guilt Clause – was it fair?War Guilt Clause – was it fair?

Wilson’s 14 PointsWilson’s 14 Points

Was against financial compensation from Was against financial compensation from Germany to France, Britain, etc.Germany to France, Britain, etc.Suggested the return of land to the major Suggested the return of land to the major powers who lost it.powers who lost it.Did not put sanctions on the Central powers.Did not put sanctions on the Central powers.Countries should be allowed to grow without Countries should be allowed to grow without restriction (including Germany).restriction (including Germany).

If Wilson’s 14 points were excepted we might If Wilson’s 14 points were excepted we might have been able to avoid World War II.have been able to avoid World War II.