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The Treaty of Versailles: A Flawed Peace

This article explores the major developments that led to the conclusion of World War I, including Russia's exit, the US entry, the end of fighting, and the flawed Treaty of Versailles.

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The Treaty of Versailles: A Flawed Peace

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  1. Conflict Becomes a WORLD WAR Conclusion of WWI –HW #3

  2. Major Development #1: Russia Pulls Out of 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 in Russia • By late1916, Russia reduces efforts & in 1917 exits war totally • WWI sparks civil war in Russia – Communists overthrow & execute Czar • Leader of new communist USSR (no longer Russia) Vladimir Lenin agrees to a peace treaty with Germany in early 1918 • In Treaty of Brest-Litovsk USSR gives up significant amounts of territory in exchange for German promise to stop fighting on Eastern Front

  3. Treaty of Brest - Litovsk Causes Central Powers to Feel Optimistic

  4. Major Development #2: USA enters WWI Why? A combination of many factors… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaVP4NPTzS8 German submarine warfare & sinking of the Lusitania

  5. Anti-German Allied Propaganda Sways American Public Opinion

  6. US trade w/Allies enhances US-Allies Economic connection as the war drags on

  7. Translated Telegram Zimmerman Telegram in April, 1917 Angers Many Americans

  8. Renewal of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (April 1917) by Germany Further Stirs US Public Against In Favor of War

  9. President Wilson’s Idealistic 14 Pointsspeech that outlines his visionfor world peace & How US involvement in war will “make the world safe for democracy”… makes entering war sound like most “moral” course of action 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

  10. Because of all these factors, the US Congress votes to enter war in April, 1917 Main US Impacts on WWI: • US supplies huge amounts of food, supplies & weapons to Allies • 10,000 US soldiers arriving on the Western Front each day break German morale • In about 6 months of active combat duty, 110,000 Americans die & 250,00 wounded…a fraction of other combatants in “Great War”

  11. Major Development #3: Fighting stops after Central Powers alliance crumbles and German leaders reach out to Allies seeking a truce or armistice to negotiate a peace treaty. Fighting officially stops at 11 am on 11/11/1918

  12. The terrible results of WWI lead to anger and a desire to assess blame, not find peace…

  13. Major Development #4: The flawed Treaty of Versailles officially ends World War I The Allied leaders meet at Versailles to negotiate a peace treaty and place blame for the war. • Why do you think it was important for leaders to blame someone for the war? 2. The Central Powers and Russia are excluded from the negotiations for peace. How do you think this might impact the negotiation? 3. Thinking back to Assignment #1: WWI Maps, which Allied country do you think suffered the most damage in the war? How might that impact the peace treaty?

  14. France 1918: Wouldn’t you want someone to pay you back for this?

  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro_GTBsQKG4 Read Article: The Treaty of Versailles – A Flawed Peace Take notes to the right and answer questions at end of article The leaders of the four allied countries – France, United States, Britain and Italy meet at Versailles. Delegates from all over Europe and the world attend to represent their national interests. Germany and Russia are not invited.

  16. The Treaty of Versailles Fails to Provide a Lasting Peace 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 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 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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=688K4iJ9oXM Treaty of Versailles redraws the map of Europe and European colonies around the world, but sows seeds for many, many future conflicts…

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