World War I: The End of the War
Russian Withdrawal
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk:
March 1918: Russia surrenders Poland and the Ukraine to Germany
Allows the Germans to move to the Western Front
New German Offensive:
Moving German troops allowed for a stronger offensive
•March-June 1918 the offensive moved the lines within 40 miles of Paris
End of the War
By the fall of 1918, the Germans realized that they had a little chance of winning
Food & supply shortage
Germans Request an Armistice
October 4, 1918 - Germany must accept Wilson’s armistice demands
Peace and an end to hostilities
The U.S. will only deal with a civilian leader
Germany must move out of territory gained during the war
The Republic of Germany
November 9, 1918: Kaiser Wilhelm II is forced to give up his throne
Germany forms a Republic
Peace Begins
November 11, 1918: the armistice takes effect
Germany agrees to withdraw from the Rhine River
Wilson's 14 Points concerned:
International relations
Free trade on the seas
Elimination of secret treaties
Limiting the size of militaries
The League of Nations
The League of Nations
Established by Wilson’s 14 Points
Member nations would preserve peace and prevent future wars.
Pledging respect to protect one another's territory and political independence.
Paris Peace Conference
The Big Four: U.S., Britain, Italy, and France
U.S. did not want to punish the defeated nations
Others did b/c their countries were destroyed by war
Reparations: payments for damages caused during war
The Treaty of Versailles
Germany had to accept responsibility for the war
Pay reparations
Disarm
Give up colonies
Create new nations (this causes future conflict)
League of Nations created
Opposition at Home
The Treaty of Versailles is rejected by the United States
Dealt with Germany too harshly
League of Nations - a permanent commitment in foreign affairs
1921- U.S. signs separate treaties with the Central Powers
Does not join the League of Nations