Download World War I for Kids: End of WWI and Post War

http://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_i/end_of_ww1_post_war.php
World War I for Kids: End of WWI and Post War
History >> World War I
The Last Battles
In August of 1918, the Allied commanders on the western front decided to go on the offensive. Starting on
August 8th, a series of battles were fought called the Hundred Days Offensive. These battles included the
Battle of Amiens, the Second Battle of the Somme, and several battles along Germany's Hindenburg Line.
The Germans were pushed out of France and were forced to retreat back into Germany.
Armistice
By the end of the Hundred Days Offensive, the German
forces were exhausted and running out of food and
supplies. On November 11, 1918 they requested an
armistice. An armistice is when both sides agree to stop
fighting while a peace treaty is negotiated. The Allies
agreed to the armistice and at 11 AM on November 11,
1918 the fighting in World War I came to an end.
Treaty Negotiations
The Allied Nations met in Paris at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 to decide the fate of Germany and
the Central Powers. Although a number of nations took part in the negotiations, the major decisions and
discussions were between the leaders of the "Big Four" nations which included Georges Clemenceau
(Prime Minister of France), David Lloyd George (Prime Minister of Great Britain), Woodrow Wilson
(President of the United States), and Vittorio Orlando (Prime Minister of Italy).
Each of the four nations had different opinions on how
Germany should be treated. President Woodrow Wilson felt
that the best solution was to incorporate his Fourteen Points
. He thought that Germany should not be blamed for the war
or punished too harshly. However, French Prime Minister
Georges Clemenceau felt that Germany was responsible for
the war and should take the blame and be forced to pay
large reparations.
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed between the Allied Powers and Germany on June 28, 1919. This
officially ended World War I. The treaty was extremely harsh on Germany. It forced Germany to "accept the
responsibility for causing all the loss and damage" of the war. Germany was forced to disarm, give up land
to France, and to pay reparations of 132 billion Marks (around $442 billion in 2014 money).
New National Borders
The map of Europe changed significantly after World War I. Several new independent countries were
formed
and MDT
Page
1 of 2 including Poland, Finland, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia. Russia became the
Jun Soviet
01, 2015Union
11:53:11AM
http://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_i/end_of_ww1_post_war.php
The map of Europe changed significantly after World War
I. Several new independent countries were
formed including Poland, Finland, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia. Russia became the Soviet Union and
the Ottoman Empire later became the country of Turkey. Germany also had to give up the provinces of
Alsace-Lorraine to France.
League of Nations
As part of the Paris Peace Conference, an organization called the League of Nations was formed. The
League of Nations was formed in an effort to establish world peace. Its member countries hoped to prevent
wars by helping to settle disputes between countries. The League also aimed to establish fair labor
conditions, improve global health, control the global arms trade, and protect minorities in Europe. The
League was officially founded by the Treaty of Versailles and had 42 founding member countries.
Interesting Facts about the End of World War I
The United States did not sign the Treaty of Versailles, but established its own treaty with
Germany.
The United States also did not join the League of Nations which was first introduced by U.S.
President Woodrow Wilson in his Fourteen Points.
The reparations that Germany owed from the Treaty of Versailles were renegotiated several
times and were not finally paid off until well after World War II.
Four European Empires disappeared after World War I including the German, Russian, Ottoman,
and Austro-Hungarian Empires.
Learn More about World War I:
History >> World War I
About Ducksters Cite this Page Privacy Policy Last updated: 6/2015 This site is a product of TSI (Technological Solutions, Inc.), Copyright
2015, All Rights Reserved. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use.
Page 2 of 2
Jun 01, 2015 11:53:11AM MDT