Transcript Chapter 14 Lesson 4 Day 1

Discussion

How does Wilson try to encourage a
sense of outrage among people in the
United States for the actions taken by
Germany?
He calls Germany's submarine attacks
"warfare against mankind" and "nothing
less than war against the government and
people of the United States."



A new opponent for Germany: Although the
withdrawal of Russia from the war gave Germany new
hope and the chance to focus on the Western Front,
the entry of the United States into the war provided
the Allies with fresh troops and increased supplies.
Germany's final gamble: In a last-ditch attempt to
break the continuing military stalemate, the Germans
initiated a final major offensive on the Western Front
during the month of March, 1918.
Germany's decisive defeat: After the German army
lost two crucial battles, and as large numbers of U.S.
troops began pouring into France, German General
Erich Ludendorff told his country's leaders that the war
was lost and that they should sue for peace.
Discussion

Why do you think Ludendorff took the
gamble of throwing all of his
resources into a single effort at this
point in time?
The entry of the United States into the
war could have quickly turned the
advantage to the Allies. Ludendorff may
have thought that if he could take Paris
before the Americans had time to fully
enter the war, the Germans would have a
chance at victory.



The fighting ends: With the Allies unwilling to make peace
with the imperial government of Germany, the Germans
forced William II to leave the country. Councils of workers
and soldiers took over civilian and military offices in the
northern part of the country. The Social Democrats
announced the creation of a democratic republic and signed
an armistice that put an end to the fighting.
Attempted Communist takeovers in Germany: Unhappy
with the Social Democrats' policies, radical socialists formed
the German Communist Party and tried to seize power. The
Social Democrats crushed the rebellion.
Disintegration of Austro-Hungarian Empire: As ethnic
groups within the Austro-Hungarian Empire sought
independence, the empire broke up into the nations of
Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.
Discussion

Why do you think the German
people acted quickly to remove
William II?
The Allies would not negotiate with
him, and the people wanted a quick
end to the war.