Transcript The Last Hundred Days

August to November 1918
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Canadian troops led by Arthur Currie, fought
several battles forcing the Germans to
retreat.
Canadians suffered 46,000 casualties in these
battles but defeated a quarter of the entire
German army.
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The tide had turned in the Allies’ favour
The anti-submarine campaign was successful
British blockade of Germany was effective
August 8, 1918, Canadian forces, with tanks
and air support smashed into German lines
Canadians drove ahead 13 kms and for 6
weeks, the Canadians led the attack.
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Canada seized 31,527 POWs, 623 artillery
pieces and 2842 machine guns.
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A total of 619 636 Canadians served in the
First World War and 66 655 gave their lives.
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The exploits of Canadian and Newfoundland
troops are remembered at 13 memorials
spread across Belgium and France.
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When Canada entered the war they
essentially had no choice.
By the end of the war Prime Minister Borden
argued that since Canada had played such an
important role in the war, with 600,000
soldiers fighting, our country deserved to be
an independent nation.
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On August 8th, a massive British – Canadian –
Australian attack, led by 600 tanks, was
launched on the German lines in front of
Amiens.
At Amiens, the German lines gave way,
allowing the Allies to advance 11km by dusk.
Thousands of men surrendered, many more
fled to the east. Morale collapsed as six entire
divisions gave up the fight.
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When German General Ludendorff studied
the reports from Amiens, he declared “August
8th was the Black Day of the German Army.”
He lost all hope for winning the war.
Ludendorff conferred with Kaiser Wilhelm.
They agreed that the war must end, but
negotiations should only begin if Germany
were doing well in a battle so that they could
negotiate a favorable peace.
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With the help of U.S.
forces, the Allies were
successful to force the
German army into total
retreat
Meaning, they were no
longer fighting
offensively
German citizens began
to revolt against the
government because of
the food shortages.
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The Navy refused to go
to sea anymore, it was
clear the war was a loss.
On November 7, 1918
after 4 years of intense
battle, Prince Max, the
leader of Germany sent
a delegation to agree
to an armistice.
 He asked the Allies to
suspend fighting.
 French General Foch
refused.
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On November 9th, representatives of Britain,
France and the USA met with the German
delegation.
At 1 a.m. on November 11th, Prince Max
replied that the German government agreed
to the armistice terms.
At 5 a.m. the armistice was signed.
It stated that all fighting would cease
everywhere at 11 a.m.
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The last man to be
killed was Canadian
Private George
Price.
He was shot by a
German sniper at
10:58 a.m. on
November 11th,
1918.
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More than 170,000 soldiers returned to
Canada with injuries and disabilities.
Many were unable to work and received
government pensions.
Some went to university or into trades with
government support.
Soldier Settlement Act – Received free land
and money to start farms
Aboriginal veterans
were excluded from
standard benefits.
 The Royal Canadian
Legion fought and
suggested resolutions
that they be
recognized and receive
the same benefits as
their other Canadian
comrades.
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The victorious Allied
countries met to discuss
the settlement of WWI.
Some of the issues that
needed to be resolved
included:
 How to punish the losing
countries?
 Who was “guilty” for
causing the war?
 How would peace be
maintained?
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Canada participated at
the Paris Peace
Conference as an
independent nation
and became a member
of the League of
Nations.
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The treaty was the
result of the Paris
Peace Conference
and it formally
ended the war.
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Accept blame for the war (War Guilt Clause)
Significantly reduce the army and navy
Relinquish control of its railroads
Give back the land it had conquered
Pay reparations amounting to approximately
$30 billion
Allow Allied troops to be stationed on its
territory.
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This treaty was extremely harsh on Germany
and many acknowledged that it would simply
lead to the outbreak of another war.
Germany signed it under protest.
Borden publically acknowledged that these
terms were harsh.
The drafters of the peace terms hoped that
the Treaty of Versailles would make the First
World War the “war to end all wars.”
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Germany would be burdened by the terms of
this treaty until Hitler takes power in the
1930’s.