Started to weaken in 1918 to the point of not fighting. Kaiser abdicates throne – takes refuge German war machine/economy too exhausted to continue.

The End of the War

Collapse of Germany

Started to weaken in 1918 to the point of not fighting.

Kaiser abdicates throne – takes refuge

German war machine/economy too exhausted to continue

SO…..

End of War

During the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month of 1918… Germany agreed to a cease-fire that ended

the war.

4 year war Involved more than 30 nations Bloodiest war in history (to that time) 26 million deaths, half were civilians Cost of war = $350 billion

Now…What to do?

Have a meeting….

Treaty of Versailles

Leaders of Entente power all meet to discuss what should happen now that the war is over

Treaty of Versailles

“Big Three” gathered at the Palace of Versailles to sign the treaty.

Hope that the treaty would create stability for Europe (didn’t happen).

Wilson’s 14 points

Guideline for post war activities (main points)

1) No more secret treaties

2) Countries must seek to reduce their weapons and their armed forces

3) National self-determination should allow people of the same nationality to govern themselves and one nationality should not have the power to govern another

4) All countries should belong to the League of Nations.

Wilson’s plan didn’t pass with Allies

With the last point calling for the creation of a League of Nations. At the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, he fought hard, but was not able to incorporate his Fourteen Points in the treaty. He did, however, make sure the League of Nations was an inextricable part of the final agreement. He hoped that once the League was established, it could rectify the treaty's many shortcomings

League of Nations

An organization to maintain world peace!

Headquarters in Switzerland

Plan didn’t pass…

Allies thought Wilson was naïve

Clemenceau was determined to prevent invasions

George just won reelection on slogan “Make Germany Pay”

Orlando wants Austrian territory

Treaty of Versailles

Established 9 new nations

Shifted boundaries Re-mapping

Carved Ottoman Empire and gave some to France and Great Britain

Treaty of Versailles – Germany

Demilitarized

Had to pay reparations to Allies War damages amounting

to $33 billion

War-Guilt Clause Germany had to

acknowledge that they alone were responsible for World War I.

Weaknesses of the Treaty

Humiliated Germany War-guilt $$$$

Bolshevik government felt ignored Not invited to conference

Contributed to international instability

http://www.history.com/videos/treaty-of-versailles-end-world-war-i#treaty-of-versailles-end-world-war-i

Opposition/ Debate – Treaty/League of Nations

Opposition In U.S. several groups opposed to treaty Too harsh- will pull down Europe. Didn’t establish demands for self-determination

(like independence)

Debate Over League of Nations ▪ Said it threatened U.S. foreign policy of isolation

Henry Cabot Lodge▪ Wanted the right of Congress to declare war▪ Wanted to add “reservations” to the treaty

Legacy of War Germany doesn’t really know they’ve lost

Germany shocked by Treaty of Versailles

Depression in Germany No jobs Currency almost worthless

Germany wanted someone to blame it on Adolf Hitler – blames German problems on

Jews and socialists▪ Rises to power (with Nazi party) in 1933 and gain

control of government.