Conclusion of WWI – HW #3

• 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 in Russia sentiment grows

• By late1916, Russia reduces efforts & in 1917 exits war totally– WWI sparks civil war in Russia – Communists overthrow & execute Czar

• Leader of newly communist 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

Major Development #2: USA enter WWI Why? A combination of many factors…

• Unrestricted submarine warfare & sinking of the Lusitania

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaVP4NPTzS8

US trade w/Allies enhances US-Allies Economic connection

• Anti-German Allied Propaganda

• Zimmerman Telegram

Translated Telegram

- - Renewal of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (April 1917)

• President Wilson’s Idealistic 14 Points for world peace & Promise that the US will “make the world safe for democracy”

This war had its roots in the disregard of the rights of small nations and of nationalities which lacked the union and the force to [determine their future] and their own forms of political life. Covenants [Agreements] must now be entered into which will render such things impossible for the future; and those covenants must be backed by the united force of all nations that love justice and are willing to maintain it at any cost... Woodrow Wilson

Because of all these factors, US Congress votes to enter war in April, 1917

Main US Impacts on WWI:• 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

• In about 6 months of active combat duty, 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 to negotiate a peace treaty.Fighting officially stops at 11 am on 11/11/1918

Terrible results of WWI lead to anger and a desire to assess blame

Major Development #4: The flawed Treaty of Versailles officially ends World War I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro_GTBsQKG4

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.   But, 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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=688K4iJ9oXM

Why was theTreaty ofVersailles“flawed”?

See summaryof details from

text reading

Major Development #5: Treaty of Versailles redraws the map ofEurope and European colonies around the world