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The First World War: the Western Front and the peace
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Millions of soldiers fought from trenches on the Western Front. When the war ended, the peace treaty punished Germany.
The Western Front
By the end of 1914 both sides had dug trenches stretching from the Belgian coast to Switzerland.
Machine guns, barbed wire and artillery made attacking very hard.
On 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the British Army suffered about 57,000 casualties, including nearly 20,000 killed. Tanks were used for the first time later in that battle.
Machine guns, barbed wire and artillery made attacking very hard.
On 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the British Army suffered about 57,000 casualties, including nearly 20,000 killed. Tanks were used for the first time later in that battle.
War at home and the end
Britain brought in conscription (compulsory military service) in 1916. Women took on many jobs.
The USA joined the war in 1917. Germany's last big attack failed in 1918.
An armistice (ceasefire) began at 11am on 11 November 1918. We remember the war dead on Remembrance Day.
The USA joined the war in 1917. Germany's last big attack failed in 1918.
An armistice (ceasefire) began at 11am on 11 November 1918. We remember the war dead on Remembrance Day.
The Treaty of Versailles, 1919
The Treaty of Versailles was signed in June 1919. Germany had to:
accept blame for the war (the war guilt clause), pay reparations (compensation), limit its army to 100,000 men with no air force, and give up land and all its colonies.
A League of Nations was set up to keep peace. Many Germans felt the treaty was harsh and unfair, which later helped Hitler.
accept blame for the war (the war guilt clause), pay reparations (compensation), limit its army to 100,000 men with no air force, and give up land and all its colonies.
A League of Nations was set up to keep peace. Many Germans felt the treaty was harsh and unfair, which later helped Hitler.
Why did many Germans resent the Treaty of Versailles?
- Germany was forced to accept all the blame for the war.
- Reparations were huge and damaged the economy.
- Losing land, colonies and most of the army felt humiliating, and Germany had no say in the terms.
Answer: Blame, reparations and losses of land and military power, imposed without negotiation.
Trench warfare on the Western Front. Somme (1 July 1916): about 57,000 British casualties on the first day. Conscription 1916; USA joined 1917; armistice 11am, 11 November 1918. Versailles (1919): blame, reparations, army of 100,000, land and colonies lost; League of Nations.
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