The End of the WWI[and the] Beginnings of a New Canadian Identity

Key Themes

The European political landscape is changed

Lasting Peace VS Reparation

**Canada gains international autonomy from Britain**

**Overarching Course Theme

Change in the War…

Two important events changed the direction of the war in 1917

Russian revolution

USA enters the war

Russian Revolution

Czar Nicholas abdicated in March 1917

Oct 1917 the Russian provisional government was overthrown by the Bolsheviks

Led by Lenin

The Bolsheviks signed a peace treaty with Germany

Impact on the War?

Russia’s political move weakened the Allies on the Eastern Front

German troops could now move to battle on Western Front

Over on the Allies side, however…

USA Enters the War

Why now? US responding to unrestricted U-boat attacks.

Germany did not only torpedo the Allies when sinking ships around the war zone – Germany wanted to strangle Britain off from supplies (and end the war)

US entered the war April 2nd, 1917

Operation Michael

As the Germans get reinforced by soldiers from the Eastern Front, they are able to push through into France.

Using this momentum, Germany keeps pushing and drives through to within 75km of Paris.

But they were unable to continue as they ran out of supplies

The British naval blockades strangled Germany’s war machine

The Hundred Days Campaign

The final months of war:

The Canadians, led by General Arthur Currie helped force the Germans east

As the Germans fled, they destroyed much of the French countryside – further angered the French

Canadian troops won important battles at Arras, Cambrais, and Valenciennes

General Currie

Central Powers CollapseThe Hundred Days campaign succeeded in breaking the Powers’ troops and supply chains.

November 1918: Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated and fled to Holland.

Austria-Hungary agreed to a ceasefire

Armistice signed November 11th, 1918

Aftermath of War

Starvation across Europe

Crops and transportation routes were ruined

Spanish Flu: Swept across Europe and came home to Canada with the soldiers

22 million died worldwide (more than in WWI itself)

Paris Peace Conference

1919, the winners of the war met in Paris to discuss terms of the peace agreement

Meeting lasted 6 months

Results of the Conference?

Treaty of Versailles set the terms of Germany’s surrender and set the scene for the next 20 years in Europe

USA (President Woodrow Wilson) wanted the plan to emphasize forgiveness but France and Belgium wanted payback.

Wilson’s “Fourteen Points”

January 8th, 1918, President Wilson gave a speech with fourteen points that outlined an international policy for a “just and lasting peace.”

Woodrow’s points were logical but pacifist… the European nations devastated by war were not interested in forgiveness.

“Fourteen Points” promoted:

forgiveness,

demilitarization & disarmament,

free trade,

adjustment of borders to represent the independence of people living there.

Terms of the Treaty of Versailles (WARML)

W. War Guilt –Germany had to assume guilt for starting war

A. Armed Forces –German army restricted to 100 000 men / No U-boats/ No airforce

R. Reparations –Germany had to pay about 30 Billion dollars

M. Map Redrawn –Territories Lost / new country of Poland created/ Saar Coal Fields and Alsace and Lorraine given (back) to France

L. League of Nations – Brainchild of Wilson ( USA didn’t join) Germany was not invited

Setting up for WWII

The harsh punishment of the treaty would eventually lead Germany to seek revenge under the Nazi Party

League of Nations (LoN)

Britain, France, Canada and other smaller nations join

Many feared that the LoN would hamper imperialism

Alliance system

No military capacity

Economic sanctions only

LoN – Destined to Fail?

Wilson had stroke and was unable to push for the League in US Congress

Congress did not agree with Wilson’s goals, and the LoN was weakened without American presence

Woodrow Wilson

Canada’s Increasing Autonomy

Canada participates as a full member at the Paris Peace Conference

Not represented by Britain

PM Borden was among the world leaders that signed the Treaty of Versailles

Canada gained international recognition for their efforts at war and, for the first time, as an independent nation.