The War Winds Down bringing an end to the Great War

1. The War Winds Downbringing an end to the Great War

2. War of Attrition • Little progress had been made since the outbreak of war in 1914. • Trench warfare made it difficult to push the enemy back and gain territory. • The inability to defeat the enemy forced leaders on both sides to realize that the only way the war could be won was by the enemy running out of resources: soldiers, weapons, and food.

3. The United States • For the majority of WWI America remained uninvolved • 1) Saw the war as a European conflict that did not involve them • 2)Did not want troops killed in a far off battle • 3)Felt goals of warring powers were mainly selfish

4. Turning Point of 1917 The United States of America joins the Triple Entente • The United States eventually joined the Triple Entente for three main reasons: • Condemned the German invasion of neutral Belgium • Protested the sinking of Lusitania and unrestricted submarine warfare • Zimmerman telegram (Americans discover German telegram to Mexico offering their support if Mexico attacks US for previously lost land – Texas, New Mexico, etc.) • April 6, 1917: the United States of America declares war.

5. The Zimmerman Telegram • Cryptogram  FGAF AAAV XADG AVXV ADAD DVDD DVGA   VXVD XDVD DFAF DXGX GDDG AVFD VX   VAAF XGDA DXVD DXDA VXXV   AAAV DAVX DAVV GDDX AVDG DXGX VXVD VFVV AFDX AVAF  VXDX VDFD AFXA VVVF AVAF VVVV VADG XVAX AFDG GXFX AFAV VADG DFVF AXVD VXXF DAVX GDVA AFXG DADX VDVF AVAF VFDG AVAF VXVD AXAF DGXD AFAF VAAA DGVV VVXV VDDF VVGD VDAV VXDF VDVX DADX AF    AAAF AVDF VVVX VDAV FGFG XFDG VVGD DADF FXV  XVDD FFDDX   February 22, 1917 To: von EckhardtMexico City British crack top secret code. U.S. press may leak German plot with Mexico. Prepare to leave embassy on short notice. BernstorffWashington, D.C

6. The Zimmerman Telegram • DADF DVDD DVGA VXGD AF XADF DAVX AFFD VVVX DGVX AFVV VDFG DGVA AFAV DADX DGGG VDDA DFVV VXGD AFVX AVDA VFAX AFAF DFVX AFDF VXAF

7. The Zimmerman Telegram ANSWER: In 1917 the United States of American Joins the Triple Entente

8. Turning Points of 1917

9. The Russian Revolution Russia leaves the Triple Entente • Russians suffering extensive losses • Weak leader, Czar Nicholas – many oppositions (strikes) • Russian communist leader, Lenin, promises food and land • Russia surrenders to Germany, which ended fighting on the Eastern Front.

10. The Last Hundred Days • After Russia surrenders, Germany launches a major offensive to capture Paris – it was a last effort to win the war. • However, they were met by the Allies, with 500, 000 fresh troops from the USA

11. The Last Hundred Days • During what became known as the “Hundred Days,” the Canadian troops contributed greatly to the ultimate defeat of Germany. • Aug. 8, 1918 Canadians spearhead attack in Amiens, France, pushing Germans back 13 km • Oct. 11, 1918 Canadians take Cambrai and advance 37 km into German territory • 30 Canadians and NFLDers earned Victoria Cross

12. Germany Surrenders • The Canadian’s accomplishments during the Last Hundred Days was impressive: • More than 100,000 Canadians soldiers advanced 130km. • 32,000 German soldiers were taken prisoner. • 3,800 pieces of artillery, machine guns, and mortars were captured. • 30 Canadians and Newfoundlanders earned the Victorian Cross. • Germany finally surrendered on November 11th, 1918, by signing the armistice agreement • It was arranged to be signed at 11:00am, officially ending the fighting. • 10:58am: the last Canadian soldier, Private George Price, is killed. • The war was formally ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

13. Germany Surrenders

14. Self-Check • 1. Name! • 2. Degree to which I understand why the Americans entered the war • 3. Degree to which I understand how the Russian revolution affected the war • 4. Degree to which I understand why Germany surrendered 1= not at all 2= somewhat 3= I understand 4= excellent