Notes

In 1917 the Germans intensified the war in the Atlantic using submarines Announced they would sink any ship in the

water around Britain This was called unrestricted submarine warfare Germany sank three American ships which led

America closer to war The final straw came with the Zimmerman

Letter A letter to Mexico Said Germany would help Mexico “reconquer” the

land Mexico had lost to the United States if they would ally with the Germans and keep the US out of the war

President of the USA 14 Points = document giving 14 points to

ensure peace after WWI’s end Self-determination League of Nations

Desire to “get back at Germany” = reparations (132 billion gold marks)

Germany had to accept war blame Led to lasting anger towards the other

European nations Resulted in the fall of the current government

and rise of Adolf Hitler Wilson’s 14 Points not really followed

8 million Europeans died 7 million were permanently disabled 15 million were seriously injured

60 million entered the war 50% were either killed or injured

At the beginning of the war the exchange rate for German Marks to US Dollars was 4.2marks=1 dollar After the war 1 dollar= 4.2 trillion marks

Organization to promote cooperation & peace

Always weak (USA didn’t join) No military backing = ineffective