End of the war

Germany U - boats + US

G = use U boats to attack B supply ship
-1915 fear abt contin strat sinking of Lustiania → international outrage;
Us vow enter war if US citiz killed → Allie naval supre
-1917 = resumed to cut off B supplies
-succesful but anger US (470k ton)

Zimmerman telegram (1917)
G - sent a telegram to Mexico proposing war on U.S cus worried abt US enter war
Intercepted + published → outraged the American →↑ support for war + declare

G Spring offensive (Allies nearly defeated)
Operation Michael

plan = transfer 500k troops from E front after R defeat → break allied lines b4 US troop arrive.
Operation = 60 divisions attack on Quentin + Arras, use new mill tactic
-hurricane bombardment: short bursts of artillery (brought up in secret)
-after = stormtrooper (special train) quick attack trench + advance to next target (enemy can’t comm)

Why offensive failed

Storm = advanced too far ahead of supply bases; ran out of food + ammunition → time 4 allie to prepare.
-capture land = no signif, signif = well defended, repel G advance
-Ludendorff = did not plan future steps → lack of supply for storm, slow advance
-US troop arrive with 250k troops → high casualties, mainly stormtroopers
(army left to 15yr + 60yr)

US + Britain

US = desire to ensure WW never happen again
-want to punish but not too much
-independence for all colonies + reduce weapons for all nations. No revenge but punish so G= reconciliation

B = public want justice for suffering “squeeze the German lemond until pips squeal.
-did not want to see as weak, loose support
-private = fear impact of harsh treaty, want G to remain trading partner.
-want to loose navy so no pose threat to emp

France + Treaty of Versailles
A way to punish G

Led by B+F+US
-G = cant have input + had to agree to terms, if not = invade → anger + resentment in G public

Believe G should be brought down to its knee so can’t threaten F again
-reflect anti G nationalism + view of F public

Did not want to be invade again so want to punish G in hopes it would deter from invade
-main focus = reduce G territory + reclaim land

G impact on treaty

Aim = make G smaller + expansionism
Lost 13% of land + 1/10 of citizens
-given to France + Poland
- Germans = controlled by not G, → ↑ feelings G nationalism

League of Nations = control Saar + Danzig + oversea colonies (economic loss)
-important for economic recovery + devel of G. Coulnd’t unite with Austria

Army = reduced to 100k, not allowed tanks + air force. Rhine = DMZ no G troops or weapon allowed.

War guilt clause 231

G = had to admit full responsibility + liable for damage, had to pay compensation (6.6B)
-beyond G ability to pay, suffer from economic + financial loss from land.
-cause resentment in G+ anger towards the Treaty of Versailles. (Hitler vowed to destroy)

New PM Ebert = associated with accepting guilt,  myth = “stabbing G in back” 
↓ support in new gov + undermine newly formed democracy

G reaction to treaty of Versailles

After agree to armistice (Nov 1918) G = convinced that they would be consulted w/ allies on treaty
-but not allowed negotiations
-when made public → anger + protest in G.
- known as Diktat cus forced upon them, no choice to sign it