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Making a Peace. Bringing an End to the Great War. Changes in Leadership. Britain PM Herbert Asquith resigned in Dec. 1916 and was replaced by fellow liberal David Lloyd George, aka the “Welsh Wizard.” France
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Making a Peace Bringing an End to the Great War
Changes in Leadership • Britain • PM Herbert Asquith resigned in Dec. 1916 and was replaced by fellow liberal David Lloyd George, aka the “Welsh Wizard.” • France • In Nov. 1917 Georges Clemenceau became French premier, giving France determined leadership.
Propaganda • As the war came to a stalemate and the casualties piled up, governments had to find ways to keep the support of their people. • They turned to propaganda to do this.
American Entry • With the revelation of the Zimmerman Telegram, the U.S. declared war on Germany in April, 1917. • It took nearly a year for U.S. forces to be assembled and arrive in any great numbers in France under the command of General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing.
The Allied Advance • In March 1918, with peace achieved in the east, the Germans attempted on final offensive in France. • The united command of British, Americans and French under French Gen. Foch counterattacked in July. • A German retreat began, culminating on Aug. 8th when British tanks broke through at Amiens.
The Armistice • On Sept 30, Bulgaria signed an armistice. • Turkey capitulated on Oct. 30th • Austria surrendered on Nov. 3rd. • Alone and exhausted, Germany signed armistice at 5am Nov. 11, 1918 – to go into effect at 11am that same day, when the guns of World War I fell silent.
The Paris Peace Conference • The peace conference began in Jan. 1919. • Delegates representing 32 nations attended. • Meeting dominated by the Big Four: • Woodrow Wilson of the United States • Georges Clemenceau of France • David Lloyd George of the UK • Vittorio Orlando of Italy (Germany and Russia were not represented)
The Paris Peace Conference • Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” • Peace plan proposed by Wilson • Called for open diplomacy, open seas, free trade, arms reduction, national self-determination and the creation of the League of Nations. • European allies had major reservations for Wilson’s “peace without victory” plan.
The Paris Peace Conference • Allies had plans of their own… • Clemenceau wanted security guarantees and war reparations to rebuild northern France. • Lloyd George wanted the continental balance of power restored so Britain could focus on its empire. • Orlando wanted to gain as much territory for Italy as possible.
The Versailles Treaty • The peace settlement with Germany. • The Rhineland • France wanted the Rhineland to become a separate buffer state, Wilson objected. • Instead, the Rhineland was occupied by allied troops for a period of 15 years. • The region would also remain permanently demilitarized.
The Versailles Treaty • Alsace and Lorraine • Alsace and Lorraine was returned to control of France (had been taken by Germany in 1871) • The Saar • The coal-rich area was placed under control of the League of Nations, with the coal going to France. • In a plebiscite, people of the Saar voted to return to German control in 1935.
The Versailles Treaty • Poland • Germany lost territory to France, Belgium and Denmark, but lost the most territory to the new state of Poland. • East Prussia was separated from the rest of Germany by the Polish Corridor, giving Poland access to the Baltic sea.
The Versailles Treaty • Disarmament and Reparations • The German army was restricted to 100,000 men. • The navy was a coastal defense force. • Germany had no air force, tanks, or submarines. • Clause 231 • Germany and its allies were made to accept responsibility for the war. • The treaty was signed at the Hall of Mirros on June 28, 1919.
The Mandate System • Colonial territories of the Central Powers fell into the hands of the allies under mandates. • Africa – German territories went to France, Britain and South Africa • The Pacific – German islands went to Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. • Middle East – Ottoman territories of Syria, and Lebanon went to France, Iraq, Palestine an Jordan went to Britain.
Italy’s Claims • Italy’s claims of territories caused conflict at the Paris Peace Conference. • Italy desired territories of Austria that became part of the new Yugoslavia. • This caused resentment among Italian nationalists.
The League of Nations • Wilson’s major push was the creation of a international body to avoid war. • The League consisted of a Council, Assembly and Secretariat headquartered in Geneva, as well as a World Court in the Hague. • The U.S. Senate failed to ratify the treaty and the U.S. never joined the league.
Self Determination • One of Wilson’s major principles put into effect in Eastern Europe. • Austria-Hungary was divided into states of Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia (joined with Serbia and Montenegro). • Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania gained independence from Russia. • Poland was created from German, Austrian and Russian territory (won more in 1920 war)
Effects of the War • The number of World War I casualties (military and civilian) was about 40 million - over 19 million deaths and 21 million wounded. This includes 9.7 million military deaths and about 10.0 million civilian deaths.
Effects of the War • European idea of progress was shattered, culture of pessimism would prevail. • European hegemony was broken, economic and military power on the decline. • The war irrevocably changed European political scene (Russian Rev., Irish Revolt) • The war and the failed peace led to economic depression and the rise of fascism (Mussolini and Hitler.)
