History- The End of the War Flashcards
The War finally ended in November 1918
the USA joined the allies in April 1917 – but at first only sent one division.
More Americans were sent during 1918. The German commander Ludendorff decided to try one more big attack before they were so many Allied troops at a German victory would be impossible.
The Ludendorff offensive nearly worked, thanks to new tactics in trench warfare – attacking several points along the line at the same time, with a constant artillery bombardment of the enemy as support.
The allies counter attacked from different sides. Haig began an attack on the German line near Amiens in France on 8 August 1918. Hundreds of tanks were sent in and the Germans were pushed back through France towards Germany. The Allied forces could have pushed straight through into Germany, but before that happened an armistice (ceasefire) was signed.
Warfare had worn Germany down. Mutinies, food shortages and revolution in Germany made it impossible for them to carry on. They asked for the armistice and it was signed on 11 November.
The peace treaty was signed at Versaille in June 1919
The main negotiators at Versaille were Lloyd George, Clemenceau the French prime minister, and Woodrow Wilson US president. The French thought the peace treaty should punish Germany. Lloyd George thought it was important to punish Germany, but not to make them bitter. The US president favourite a more lenient approach – America hadn’t been as badly affected by the war.
The Treaty of Versaille embittered and nearly bankrupted Germany. It would be remembered in the future.
