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The Last Year of War. Peace and revenge. The Last Year of War. 1917 Not a good year for the Triple Entente! Major defeats and stalemates Russia leaves the fighting to focus on internal conflict Germany begins to mass forces for a major Western Front offensive. The Last Year of War.
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The Last Year of War Peace and revenge
The Last Year of War • 1917 • Not a good year for the Triple Entente! • Major defeats and stalemates • Russia leaves the fighting to focus on internal conflict • Germany begins to mass forces for a major Western Front offensive
The Last Year of War 2. A New German Plan a. A massive attack planned to break the stalemate… Successful at first. b. Launched in March, 1918 c. Second Battle of the Marne 1. The German troops had been stopped just short of Paris by a combined force of Americans, Moroccans, and French. 2. Another 1 million American troops were arriving in France at the same time.
The Last Year of War B. Internal German Collapse 1. As the German army fought, its government was in shambles. a. In northern Germany, sailors revolted against the government. b. Protests began to spread and Communism began to take root (something the Germans had feared throughout the war!) c. The Entente refused to sign any treaties with Kaiser Wilhelm II 1. He resigned on Nov. 9, 1918.
The Last Year of War C. Armistice 1. Just two days after the Kaiser abdicated, an armistice treaty was signed. a. Armistice- a cease fire b. Nov. 11, 11:11 am, 1918 2. The war was over!
Paris Peace Conference 1919 D. Paris Peace Conference 1. With the war over, the winners would now meet to decide the terms of the war. a. 27 nations were invited to Paris (not the losing nations however!) b. What was at stake: 1. European Territory 2. Idealistic Gains- World peace (Wilson) 3. Punishment 4. Overseas colonies
Paris Peace Conference 1919 2. Wilson a. Woodrow Wilson used the end of the war as a catalyst to push ideas of world unity, and peace, into the treaty. 1. Wilson was a progressive, and tried to “solve” the problem of war through new ideas and laws. b. Wilson’s “14 Points” 1. League of Nations and Diplomacy 2. Military force reductions 3. Self-Determination for new nations
Paris Peace Conference 1919 3. European Demands a. Besides the idealistic views of Wilson, affected European powers wanted revenge and territory. 1. England: Represented by David Lloyd George a. Germany must be punished b. Wanted Middle Eastern territory as well
Paris Peace Conference 1919 2. France: Represented by Georges Clemenceau a. Wanted Germany stripped of armaments b. Wanted reparations: damages, paid for destruction c. Also requested territory between France and Germany to buffer any future attacks.
Paris Peace Conference 1919 E. Treaty of Versailles 1. Officially ended the war 2. Drafted and created by the “winners” a. Germany felt it was extremely harsh and unfair 3. Terms: a. Article 231: War Guilt Clause 1. Germany was solely responsible for the war and must pay damages to each affected nation.
Paris Peace Conference 1919 b. Reduce army to 100,000 soldiers and reduce their navy and u-boats, eliminate the air force. c. Give Alsace and Lorraine territories to France 4. The Germans had to accept the treaty! 5. A New Europe: a. The Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empires disintegrated. b. New nations emerged: Finland, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Lithuania, Austria, and Hungary.
Paris Peace Conference 1919 6. Middle East 1. In the remnants of the Ottoman Empire, European nations claimed “mandates.” 2. Mandates: when a nation is governed by another on behalf of international interests. a. A slick term, they were basically annexations of territory. 1. Syria- France 2. Iraq- Eng. 3. Palestine- Eng.
Legacy F. Legacy of War 1. Destroyed the gains of the last two centuries a. 10 million people killed, violence and disease. b. European progress and industrialization halted c. Total Warfare d. Freedom limited, press e. Strong leaders and central governments became normal *My opinion: the end of a European- dominated planet, rise of the US