How did World War One end? - 91�ȱ� Bitesize

When did World War One end?

People outdoors celebrating Armistice Day in 1918

World War One ended at 11am on 11 November, 1918.

This became known as Armistice Day.
Germany signed an armistice (a peace agreement) and all the soldiers stopped fighting.

A front page of The Daily Mirror newspaper with a headline that reads ‘How London hailed the end of war.’ There are photos of people waving flags and smiling. — Image caption,
A front page headline taken from The Daily Mirror on 12 November 1918.

Why did Germany lose?

An illustration of the Allied flags promoting Freedom from World War One — Image caption,
Postcard with illustration of flags promoting freedom (circa 1917).

In 1917 the United States joined the war against Germany.
Britain and France attacked Germany back in March 1918.
The German Navy were complaining about their working conditions.
Germany and its allies realised it was no longer possible to win the war.
The leaders of the German army told the government to stop.
Kaiser Wilhelm, Germany's ruler, stepped down on 9 November 1918.

Americans celebrate hearing news that the war is over. — Image caption,
On November 11 1918, Americans celebrated the news that the war was over.

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

Image caption,
Original booklet from the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

The leaders of the USA, Great Britain and France met in Versailles in France.

They wrote a plan for peace called the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was shocked by it because:

They had to accept blame for starting the war.
Some places Germany used to own, like Alsace-Lorraine, were taken from them.
They weren't allowed to have an army of more than 100,000 men. They were also banned from having any submarines or an air force.

People in Germany were angry. The country had to pay 132 billion gold marks (their currency before the Euro) to repair the damages of war. They became poor because of this.

Germans taking a tank apart outside Berlin in 1919 as ordered by the Treaty of Versailles — Image caption,
1919: Germans take a tank apart outside Berlin, as ordered by the Treaty of Versailles. This tank is in fact a British tank, which the Germans had captured and used during the war.

What happened to soldiers after the war?

Many men who fought in the war still suffered from shell shock (a mental illness) or were disabled.

Back in Britain, training centres were set up to support ex-servicemen and retrain them in new jobs, such as shoe menders, electricians and jewellers.

People celebrate the end of World War One on a London bus

Activities

Activity 1: Quiz – How did World War One end?

Activity 2: History Explorer game

Play this game to test your knowledge and learn even more facts about World War One.

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