Transcript WWI The Great War

• US President Woodrow Wilson wanted the nation to remain
officially neutral in its position to the European conflict.
- But the new, industrial power known as America
was BANKING off the war.
• Wilson and the US public favored the Triple Entente; especially in
terms of exporting their wartime goods.
• This created a rift between the US and the Central Powers.
Was this scenario truly neutral? Truly?
- Germany’s policy of unrestricted submarine warfare would
complicate the situation immensely.
• In May of 1915, a German U-boat sank the Lusitania believing it
carried supplies; killing over 1,000 civilians which included 128
Americans.
• …was a German military request (to Mexico) promoting the
idea of a surprise attack on the US.
• Mexico’s empire stretched as far as California well into the
1800’s.
• Imagine President Wilson’s reaction! Did that seriously just
happen?
• By this point, the war seemed inevitable.
**President Wilson embraced the idea of being able to dictate
the terms of the treaty at the wars end.
• Although the country was not entirely for it, Woodrow Wilson
asked Congress for a declaration of war on April 2, 1917.
FOKKER DR1
• The fighting conditions, in addition to the creation of new weaponry, made this a horrific
experience.
• Poor leadership led to millions of deaths as a result of using old military strategies with new
technology.
* Grenades, tanks, airplanes, poison gas, flamethrowers and machine guns.
• Trench warfare was the main reason for lengthy, bloody battles which gained little to no
land.
• Soldiers endured months of hardships in the trenches including: Lice, rats, disease and
starvation.
• “Going over the top” and attacking the other trenches lead to millions of deaths and very
little gains.
• Started out horribly for the Allies as the horror of the
stalemate continued in the West.
- Russia suffered greatly abroad and at
home during the war.
- In 1917, the Bolshevik Revolution began in Russia
and the country went into civil war.
• By the end, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was
established… the Communist USSR.
• On the west, the 2 million fresh American
troops were landing in France.
• The toll of the war took its toll on Germany’s
allies; the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary
were defeated by the fall of 1918.
- Germany, the most
aggressive and dangerous
of the Central Powers, would
suddenly have to surrender.
• On the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th
day of the 11th month, Germany signed a peace
treaty ending World War I.
• Prime Minister David
Lloyd George of the
United Kingdom, Prime
Minister Vittorio
Emanuele Orlando of
Italy, Prime Minister
Georges Clemenceau of
France, and President
Woodrow Wilson of the
United States.
** Germany and AustriaHungary were not invited
to the Treaty Conference.
- Thus, they could not
discuss the terms; they
simply had to agree with
whatever the Allies
decided upon.
• Woodrow Wilson proposed his Fourteen Points as a peace plan which included:
- Establish a League of Nations.
- No secret treaties.
- Freedom of the seas.
- Eliminate tariffs.
- Arms reductions.
- Colonial policies in favor
of the colonial residents.
- Less vengeful peace treaties.
• However, the other members of the “Big Four”
had different goals.
- Britain and France wanted revenge.
- Italy wanted the land it was promised for joining the Allies.
• Wilson was forced to give up most of his ideas for the establishment of
the League of Nations.
General Clauses
• War Guilt Clause - Germany to accept blame for
starting the war.
• The establishment of the League of Nations.
Financial Clauses
• Reparations - Germany was to pay for the damage caused by the war. The figure of £6,600
million was set some time after the signing of the treaty.
Military Clauses
• Army - was to be reduced to 100,000 men and no tanks were allowed.
• Navy - Germany was only allowed 6 ships and no submarines.
• Air force - Germany was not allowed an air force.
• Rhineland - The Rhineland area was to be kept free of German military personnel and
weapons.
Territorial Clauses
• ‘Anschluss’ - Germany was not allowed to unite with Austria.
It is historically debatable whether the Treaty of Versailles was effective or not.
- Is strict and severe punishment of the losing nations the way to go? How much mercy
should be given? Should Germany and Austria-Hungary have been invited to the Treaty
Conference?
• In groups of one or two, create your own Treaty of Versailles in order to bring an end to
World War I; and thus ensure it will never happen again.
This should include:
• A Cover Sheet. Include the names of the countries invited, the location of the Conference and
a drawing representing World War I or the Treaty. Also, your name and period.
• A detailed introductory paragraph which outlines the goals of your Treaty Conference.
Who will attend? Or will not? Where should it be held? Which Allied leader should
oversee the proceedings? The Big Four? Russia too? THINK!
• Next, in bullet-form…
- What would be your General Clauses? Financial Clauses? Military? Territorial?
- Three clauses per category is required. Each clause will have a brief sentence
describing your reason for choosing it.
**Again, keep in mind: The idea was for some nations, such as the United States, was to be
lenient and prevent further conflict. For others, such as France and Belgium, punishment
and revenge was priority.