David Lloyd George was the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Welsh descent. His war cabinet consisted of himself, Lord Northcliffe, Lord Curzon, Andrew Bonar Law, Lord Milner, and Arthur Henderson. These men condemned all of the political, economic, economic, and diplomatic decisions. At the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, George was the British representative among the many delegates. He was apart of the Big Four, which were the major decision makers in the making of the treaty of Versailles.
Georges Clemenceau was the prime minister of France from 1906-1909 and 19917-1920. Clemenceau led France during the last year of World War I. He thought that industrially and commercially, Germany had won the war. He believed that they would seen get rid of all their debts by manipulating other countries. He strongly believed that the German economy would be better than the French economy in a short amount of time. He was able to talk in both English and French, so he did well during the Versailles Peace Conference. The public and parliament wanted him to make the reparations bill for Germany as large as possible.
Woodrow Wilson was the President of the United States during World War I. He initially didn't want to get involved in World War I, stating that it was a European affair, but he became involved in the war after a series of events, including the sinking of the Lusitania and the Zimmerman Telegram. He made a fourteen points address, which introduced the idea of the League of Nations. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for trying to make peace, but not even the US would support his efforts.
Article 173 : of the Treaty of Versailles states that "universal compulsory military service shall be abolished in Germany. The German Army may only be constituted and recruited by means of voluntary enlistment."
Article 227 of the Treaty of Versailles was describing the penalties. It stated that the former German Emperor, William II of Hohenzollern, and the Government of Netherlands must surrender their ex-emperor to be put on trial.
Artical 231 of the Treaty of Versailles was describing loss of damage. It stated that "Germany accepts responsibility of Germany and its allies for causing all the loss of damage to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies." This means that Germany and her allies were supposed to be responsible for all the damages done to the Allies and their associated governments.
Short Answer Questions
1. President Woodrow Wilson made his fourteen points address and wanted to introduce the idea of the League of Nations. However, no one would support it. He did, however, win the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts even though his own country’s congress didn’t approve of the idea.
2. Georges Clemenceaus was going to try and get the bill of reparations for Germany and its allies to be as high as possible to ensure a downfall in the “defeated countries” economies.
3. David Lloyd George wanted to make Germany suffer both politically and economically for all the damages that it had caused during the war, but he didn't want Germany to be completely destroyed like Georges Clemenceaus wanted. He had two views really: Public and Personal. The British public wanted Germany to crumble, but all he wanted was to stop the spread of communism. Germany was the source of communism because of its very own Karl Marx. He feared the spread of communism, and thought isolating germany was the only way to contain it.
4. The United States Congress saw problems in the League of Nations because it clashed with their desire to have a policy that was isolationist throughout the world.
5. Germany would have to work hard in order to fix all its debts, and since it was also blamed for the war. This led to the rise of Adolf Hitler, who believed that Germans were the best race in the world, and he was able to convince them that. This led to the rize of a Nazi Germany.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Casualties Analysis: WWI
1. The two original countries involved were Austria-Hungary who mobilized about 8,000,000 and Serbia who had about 7,000,000 troops which is far less than the amount of men Russia and Germany put into the war. This seems ridiculous to me as they were basically drug into the war for no other reason then they had to keep an alliance. This is just further proof to me how unnecessary the war was and as a civilian at that time would look at those numbers and be really upset by them. Why does it seem like everyone was trying to fight a battle that wasn't theirs? Also, it is interesting that Germany put so much effort into this war and yet they are the ones blamed and forced to pay for a lot of it. Then again, maybe because they had such a big involvement accounts for their guilt. Overall, these kind of numbers are completely insane no matter what country it is from.
2. Geographically, Austria-Hungary is smack in the middle of Europe between Russia and France. The fact they were in the center of so many waring countries could account for their high casualty rate. Also, having both Russia and France fighting them from two fronts, would force Austria-Hungary to divide their army and therefore weaken it, resulting in higher numbers of casualties.
3. Well I take that a lot of the "missing" soldiers were deserters of the war effort which is the penalty of death in most countries. As the war drug on, many of the soldiers saw and experienced the horrors of war and began to question the purpose of it all. The Russians too shared this feeling and probably had little faith in their country as a whole and what they could accomplish. This may have had an influence of what started the Russian Revolution because Russia was a divided country. There was no trust and the government had just collapsed under the stress of the war.
4. The amount of soldiers America mobilized for the war in such a short period of time, especially compared to other countries, just goes to show and enhance the impact that America's entrance into the war had. If need be, America could have brought in even more too. They were really the tipping point that brought an end to the war because both sides were done fighting. Even though they stayed out of the war for as long as possible, when America did enter, they asserted themselves as a world power and went full force ahead.
5. Overall, the allies had a lot more countries involved than the central powers. However, it is interesting that the total number of mobilized forces for the central powers was almost 20,000,000 then the allies. But the number I find most important in why the allies were victorious is the casualties percent of the mobilized armies, which was lower for the allies. So even though they had less people fighting, less people were dying. Maybe because they had less people fighting too kept their moral up a little higher too while fighting.
6. Overall the casualty rates for WWI are ridiculous. After a war like this, how could anyone want to fight anymore? Also, even though the number of actual soldiers dead is much smaller, the fact that the casualty rates were so high accounts for the soldiers that came back and weren't the same... had gone crazy or lost body parts, etc. It doesn't seem fair the amount of casualties that certain countries had when they were not even part of the original conflict? How does something seemingly so small escalate into such a world wide catastrophe? I wonder what would have happened if America hadn't entered into the war at all? The central powers might have had more of a chance of winning. Or if they had joined the central powers instead. Also, Germany's contributions and losses from the war might have contributed to their anger of having to make so many payments for the war damages and then later their involvement if WWII. Again, in general, no matter what country, the number of casualties are horrible and had a major impact on the meaning of war.
2. Geographically, Austria-Hungary is smack in the middle of Europe between Russia and France. The fact they were in the center of so many waring countries could account for their high casualty rate. Also, having both Russia and France fighting them from two fronts, would force Austria-Hungary to divide their army and therefore weaken it, resulting in higher numbers of casualties.
3. Well I take that a lot of the "missing" soldiers were deserters of the war effort which is the penalty of death in most countries. As the war drug on, many of the soldiers saw and experienced the horrors of war and began to question the purpose of it all. The Russians too shared this feeling and probably had little faith in their country as a whole and what they could accomplish. This may have had an influence of what started the Russian Revolution because Russia was a divided country. There was no trust and the government had just collapsed under the stress of the war.
4. The amount of soldiers America mobilized for the war in such a short period of time, especially compared to other countries, just goes to show and enhance the impact that America's entrance into the war had. If need be, America could have brought in even more too. They were really the tipping point that brought an end to the war because both sides were done fighting. Even though they stayed out of the war for as long as possible, when America did enter, they asserted themselves as a world power and went full force ahead.
5. Overall, the allies had a lot more countries involved than the central powers. However, it is interesting that the total number of mobilized forces for the central powers was almost 20,000,000 then the allies. But the number I find most important in why the allies were victorious is the casualties percent of the mobilized armies, which was lower for the allies. So even though they had less people fighting, less people were dying. Maybe because they had less people fighting too kept their moral up a little higher too while fighting.
6. Overall the casualty rates for WWI are ridiculous. After a war like this, how could anyone want to fight anymore? Also, even though the number of actual soldiers dead is much smaller, the fact that the casualty rates were so high accounts for the soldiers that came back and weren't the same... had gone crazy or lost body parts, etc. It doesn't seem fair the amount of casualties that certain countries had when they were not even part of the original conflict? How does something seemingly so small escalate into such a world wide catastrophe? I wonder what would have happened if America hadn't entered into the war at all? The central powers might have had more of a chance of winning. Or if they had joined the central powers instead. Also, Germany's contributions and losses from the war might have contributed to their anger of having to make so many payments for the war damages and then later their involvement if WWII. Again, in general, no matter what country, the number of casualties are horrible and had a major impact on the meaning of war.
Friday, February 12, 2010
WWI Letter Home:)
Dear Don & Betsy,
Out here on the western front life is tougher than I ever imagined. All the soldiers have had a huge awakening to what it is like to be a real fighter for one’s country. No one could have been prepared for what we have experienced out here. It is not at all what we imagined it would be. We had a very different image when we had the celebration before we were shipped out. The dreams we all had of the action of war have quickly vanished to fade in to reality. We all are waking up to find ourselves still stuck in the middle of an unresolved conflict. Everyday I long for my return, but I still remember the initial reason I enlisted and that is what is keeping me here now.
I am very glad to have Cousin Tommy with me. Together we have pulled through some ups and downs of this ongoing war. We remind ourselves how good it will be when we return home. He keeps telling me that we will make it back home, no matter what it takes. He is quite the optimistic one, even though we both know the chances of us returning home are quite slim. Out here on the battlefield, the days are gradually becoming worse. The gases are being used more frequently. One of our youngest was burned from head to toe by mustard gas- horrible. I feel so bad, but happy at the same time. I’m glad it wasn’t me. We all know he is in agonizing pain because of the horrendous screams coming from his cot in the infirmary. But we’ve been told there is nothing we can do, but to keep positive thoughts flowing through his head.
There are diseases spreading around that I’ve never seen before in the trenches. It’s called “trench foot”, it is a disease where mold grows and eats away at your flesh. Two of my comrades that I met the night I departed from home, John Beckett and William Parker, have come down with some bad cases and had to have their feet amputated! In addition to trench foot, there have been some intense cases of trench fever. I think its all because of the less than satisfactory conditions out here. There are rats everywhere, but the lieutenant had a brilliant plan to solve that issue. They are all gone now.
Oh, I almost forgot! The fighting is intense. The terms of how we fight change from day to day. Our tanks are everywhere now. We are finally advancing on Germany with them, thanks to the aide of the British. The shell bombs are the worst though. Most of the men have been suffering from shell shock. One soldier had it so bad he had to be taken away. I guess he couldn’t handle it all. It was sad to see him have a mental breakdown before they came to get him. Out of all the dangers I hate the dreadful sounds of those fighter planes with their machine guns swirling over our heads. They are like great birds, waiting to attack when we aren’t looking.
I wish there was more positive news, but it’s the truth. Right now, I think that is all I want you both to know. Tommy says to not worry, but to keep us in your prayers. If you could, tell My Anna that I love her and that I will do my best to be home for Christmas
I love you with all my heart.
Your Son,
John.
Dear Anna,
I hope my parents told you how im doing out here, but I couldn’t send them a letter with out mentioning you. I love you Anna. Remember that wherever you are in the world, the moon is never larger than your thumb. I think of you every minute of the day. You are the one thing that keeps me alert. Your face is the image that drives me to be prepared for anything and everything. I will do my best to be home for Christmas.
Keep me in your thoughts. I’ll be there soon.
With all the love in my heart,
John
Out here on the western front life is tougher than I ever imagined. All the soldiers have had a huge awakening to what it is like to be a real fighter for one’s country. No one could have been prepared for what we have experienced out here. It is not at all what we imagined it would be. We had a very different image when we had the celebration before we were shipped out. The dreams we all had of the action of war have quickly vanished to fade in to reality. We all are waking up to find ourselves still stuck in the middle of an unresolved conflict. Everyday I long for my return, but I still remember the initial reason I enlisted and that is what is keeping me here now.
I am very glad to have Cousin Tommy with me. Together we have pulled through some ups and downs of this ongoing war. We remind ourselves how good it will be when we return home. He keeps telling me that we will make it back home, no matter what it takes. He is quite the optimistic one, even though we both know the chances of us returning home are quite slim. Out here on the battlefield, the days are gradually becoming worse. The gases are being used more frequently. One of our youngest was burned from head to toe by mustard gas- horrible. I feel so bad, but happy at the same time. I’m glad it wasn’t me. We all know he is in agonizing pain because of the horrendous screams coming from his cot in the infirmary. But we’ve been told there is nothing we can do, but to keep positive thoughts flowing through his head.
There are diseases spreading around that I’ve never seen before in the trenches. It’s called “trench foot”, it is a disease where mold grows and eats away at your flesh. Two of my comrades that I met the night I departed from home, John Beckett and William Parker, have come down with some bad cases and had to have their feet amputated! In addition to trench foot, there have been some intense cases of trench fever. I think its all because of the less than satisfactory conditions out here. There are rats everywhere, but the lieutenant had a brilliant plan to solve that issue. They are all gone now.
Oh, I almost forgot! The fighting is intense. The terms of how we fight change from day to day. Our tanks are everywhere now. We are finally advancing on Germany with them, thanks to the aide of the British. The shell bombs are the worst though. Most of the men have been suffering from shell shock. One soldier had it so bad he had to be taken away. I guess he couldn’t handle it all. It was sad to see him have a mental breakdown before they came to get him. Out of all the dangers I hate the dreadful sounds of those fighter planes with their machine guns swirling over our heads. They are like great birds, waiting to attack when we aren’t looking.
I wish there was more positive news, but it’s the truth. Right now, I think that is all I want you both to know. Tommy says to not worry, but to keep us in your prayers. If you could, tell My Anna that I love her and that I will do my best to be home for Christmas
I love you with all my heart.
Your Son,
John.
Dear Anna,
I hope my parents told you how im doing out here, but I couldn’t send them a letter with out mentioning you. I love you Anna. Remember that wherever you are in the world, the moon is never larger than your thumb. I think of you every minute of the day. You are the one thing that keeps me alert. Your face is the image that drives me to be prepared for anything and everything. I will do my best to be home for Christmas.
Keep me in your thoughts. I’ll be there soon.
With all the love in my heart,
John
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