Aftermath of WWI The Aftermath of World War

Aftermath of WWI The Aftermath of World War I The War to end all wars? ? ?

Treaty of Versailles • Element: Explain the major decisions made in the Versailles Treaty; include German reparations and the mandate system that replaced Ottoman control. • Vocabulary: mandate system, Treaty of Versailles

Russia Taps Out! • March 1917, food and fuel shortages in Russia forced Czar Nicholas to give up power. • The Russian people were tired of fighting, and the army refused to fight any longer. (5. 5 million casualties)

A Failed Final Push • Germany can now fight on one front. • March 1918, Germany launched a major offensive on the Allies and by May were 40 miles from Paris.

Central Powers Collapse • Allies launched a counterattack against a weakened Germany. • 2 million U. S. soldiers aid allied advance at the Second Battle of Marne.

Armistice • Austria-Hungary had a revolution and surrendered. • Germans turned on the Kaiser and declared a republic. • Armistice- agreement to end fighting, signed on 11 -11 -1918.

Let’s Summarize… • This country pulled out of the war due to food shortages and massive casualties. • This country reinforced the allies with millions of troops and helped push the Germans back. • Explain what an armistice is.

• After learning about WWI, would you say that the war was completely Germany’s fault? • What is the purpose of a peace treaty? “The day must come when a German government shall summon up the courage to declare to the foreign powers: The Treaty of Versailles is founded on a monstrous lie. We fulfill nothing more. Do what you will! If you want battle, look for it!” -Adolf Hitler

The Big 4 • Group of leaders known as the Big Four dominate peace talks: • Woodrow Wilson (U. S. ) • Georges Clemenceau (France) • David Lloyd George (Great Britain) • Vittorio Orlando (Italy) • Germany was not represented.

Wilson’s Fourteen Points • speech presented to Congress • fourteen solutions to create a lasting peace in Europe • end secret alliances and militarism • proposed development of the League of Nations

Let’s Summarize… • Who was not invited to the peace talks? • What was the name of President Wilson’s peace proposal?

The Treaty of Versailles • Britain, France oppose Wilson’s ideas; want to punish Germany • Allies, Germany sign the, Treaty of Versailles, in June 1919 • Wilson’s only contribution was the League of Nations

Germany’s Punishment • Germany signed a war guilt clause, that placed 100% of the blame on them • Germany had to pay 33 billion dollars in war reparations, and lost much of their territory

Military Restrictions • Limits set on the size of the German army • Germany prohibited from importing or manufacturing weapons or war material • Germany forbidden to build or buy submarines or have an air force • Rhineland was established as a demilitarized zone

Territorial Loses • Germany returned Alsace-Lorraine to France • French border extended to west bank of Rhine River • Germany surrendered all of its overseas colonies in Africa and the pacific

Europe Before and After WWI

Development of New Nations Austria-Hungary: • Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia recognized as independent nations Russia: • Romania and Poland both gained Russian land. Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, formerly Russia, became independent nations

Let’s Summarize… • What country did the Treaty of Versailles have the biggest impact on? • What is a war guilt clause and who signed it? • Describe the ways in which Germany was punished.

Mandate System Description: • territories of the Central powers fell under the control of an Allied Power, instead of being granted independence Example: • France = Lebanon and Syria • Great Britain = Iraq and Palestine (modern-day Israel)

Mandate System Results: • seen as a betrayal by many in these Arab nations and served to instill bitterness against the West in many parts of the Middle East • Ottoman Empire retained only land in Anatolia

League of Nations Description: • proposed by President Wilson in his message known as the “Fourteen Points” • fourteenth point was the creation of a League of Nations

League of Nations Purpose: • international peace organization • to provide a place where countries could peacefully discuss solutions to their differences rather than go to war

League of Nations Issues: • enemy and neutral nations initially excluded • Germany and Russia excluded • the United States did not join the League • without any means to enforce its decisions • proved powerless to stop the onset of a second world war

Let’s Summarize… • Explain what the League of Nations is.

Opening The Door For WWII • Treaty of Versailles created feelings of bitterness on both sides • German people feel hatred after taking blame for war

Reaction to Treaty • America never signs Treaty of Versailles because they didn’t support the League of Nations. • “A peace built on quicksand. ”

Reaction to Treaty Africans & Asians: • Angered at lack of independence Italy & Japan: • Disappointment at lack of territory gained

So why agree to the treaty? • There were many in Germany who did not want to accept the treaty, but the only alternative was to start fighting again.

Let’s Summarize… • Who refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles? • Why did America refuse to ratify the treaty? • What term describes the concept of money losing its value?

Destabilization of Europe • Element: Analyze the destabilization of Europe in the collapse of the great empires; include the Romanov and Hapsburg dynasties. • Vocabulary: Hapsburg Dynasty, Romanov Dynasty

Destabilization of Europe Description: • European monarchies being replaced with democratic governments Examples: • Germany with the creation of the Weimar Republic • Russia, Austria, Spain

Romanov Dynasty Russian Decline: • technology was not as advanced, and lacked modern industrialization • not prepared for war, poor, and many peasants were starving • the fighting only took away more money and food from citizens to support the war effort • millions of Russians, both soldiers and civilians, suffered and died • people of all classes began calling for change in the Russian government

Romanov Dynasty The Russian Revolution: • in 1917 • began as strikes among the lower working classes • Czar Nicholas II ordered troops to put down the uprisings • many of his soldiers switched sides and joined the rebellious crowds • on March 12, Nicholas II abdicated his throne

Hapsburg Dynasty Austrian Decline: • ruled much of Europe since the tenth century • defeat of Germany and Austria-Hungary • fell from power with a Revolution Outcome: • replaced with a democratic government • Several nations will develop as a result to include Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia

Hapsburg Dynasty Spain: • will continue to rule until 1931 • economic crisis that will engulf the world after World War I will aid in the fall of the Spanish Hapsburg’s • will be replaced with an elective government

Let’s summarize … • Why was Europe less “stable” (destabilized) following World War I?

Global Impact of World War I • Political and economic instability during the postwar years, combined with the resentment felt by the German people towards the Treaty of Versailles, eventually led Europe back into war within just a few years.

Let’s Summarize … • So, ultimately, what’s the global impact of World War I?