WWI
The End…
&
The Treaty of Versailles
Big Idea
 Leaders are people too! Sometimes, emotions can get
in the way of strategy.
Big Questions
 How did the US get pulled into WWI?
 Did the designers of the Treaty of Versailles act
strategically or emotionally?
 What are the consequences of overly-harsh
punishments?
Review: 4 Long Term Causes of WWI
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Review:
What was the spark?
Review: Sides
Allied Powers
Central Powers
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Review: Warfare
 What type of warfare characterized WWI?
 What difficulty did Germany face?
 What new technologies affected warfare?
 Was either side winning the war? Explain…
Key Terms
 Lusitania
 Unrestricted Submarine
Warfare
 Zimmerman Telegram
 John J. Pershing
 Peace Treaty
 Reparations
 Paris Peace Conference
 Treaty of Versailles
The U.S. Gets in the Game
2 Main Reasons
 1. Sinking of the Lusitania
 2. Zimmerman Telegram
1. Sinking of the Lusitania
 Unrestricted Submarine Warfare – German Uboats would sink any ship without warning
 Major cause of US entry into the war
 German U-Boats (submarines) attacked and
sunk the British civilian ship The Lusitania
 1,200 Civilians Die
 139 Americans were on board, 128 died
 Americans Angry, Germany promises to stop
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare… for now
Triad Question #1
 The Sinking of the Lusitania was a relatively small
event in history, which had a huge impact.
 In your groups, come up with another “small event” that
caused a war or revolution.
 How are they the same / different?
 (Lusitania vs. Your Event)
Zimmerman Telegram (1917)
We intend to begin on the 1st of February unrestricted
submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this
to keep the United States of America neutral. In the
event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a
proposal of alliance on the following basis: make war
together, make peace together, generous financial
support and an understanding on our part that Mexico
is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico
and Arizona. Please call the President's attention to
the fact that the ruthless employment of our
submarines now offers the prospect of compelling
England in a few months to make peace.
2. Zimmerman Telegram (1917)
 America still not in the war
 The Zimmerman Telegram was sent from
Germany to Mexico, asked Mexico to
attack the US and join the Central Powers
 Germany said they would resume
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
 Intercepted by GB
 GB sent to US, US declared war on
Germany
How would the U.S. entering the war 4 years after
it started affect the outcome?
 Example 1: Gandalf
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL9vUjm
2mIE
 Example 2: Ghost army
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqFrS41
7OnE
Triad Question #2
 The Central Powers (Germans, Austrians) and the
Allied Powers (GB, France) were exhausted. The
soldiers were sick, tired, and psychologically damaged.
The European countries were running short on supplies
and able-bodied men.
 How would the USA’s entrance into the war “change
everything”?
 Come up with a story (real or imaginary) that can
symbolize the impact of America’s entry into the world.
How would the U.S. entering the war 4 years after
it started affect the outcome?
 Both the Allied Powers and the Central Powers were
exhausted
 Troops were sick
 Many deaths, armies weakened
 What were the U.S. soldiers like?
 Fresh, rested, healthy
 Ready to fight!
U.S. Troops
 Led by General John J. Pershing
 Over 4 million U.S. Troops fought in the War
 About 120,000 U.S. soldiers died.
 Once the U.S. arrived with fresh troops, the war was
over in less than a year
The War is over… Now what?
 Armistice signed at 11 o’clock on 11/11/1918.
 “The eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month”
 Armistice – an agreement to end fighting in a war
 Need to sign a peace treaty
 Peace Treaty – Official Document ending a war. Often
includes reparations.
 Reparations – payments which a country must pay after
they LOSE a war.
Treaty of Versailles:
Key Players
Clemenceau
David Lloyd George
Woodrow Wilson
(PM of France)
(PM of the United Kingdom)
(President of the US)
WWI: Total
Deaths
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Which side suffered more
deaths?
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How many U.S. soldiers
died?
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Which country suffered
the most deaths?
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What was the total
number of deaths?