Sees an Essential Part of the Peace Treaty. The Press Sours on the President, He Perseveres Nevertheless. Special to The Great War Project. (29 January) Paris is awash with journalists, sent from around the world to cover the peace conference. And increasingly, the press was becoming hostile to the peace process. Just look at the…
THE PEACE CONFERENCE BEGINS IN PARIS
by Mike Shuster
Representatives from Most of the World’s Peoples. The Allies Want Payments, Wilson Wants the League of Nations. Special to The Great War Project. (21 January) On January 18th 1919 in the gilded Salle de la Paix of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Quai d’Orsay, the Paris Peace Conference finally begins. So reports…
REVOLUTION IN GERMANY
by Mike Shuster
Communists Move to Take Power Hundreds Shot Down in the Streets by Own Army, Street Fighting Turns Ferocious. Special to The Great War Project. (10 January) While the American president Woodrow Wilson is feasting on worshipful applause in Italy in the early days of January a century ago, Germany is confronting a Bolshevik onslaught. Reports…
WILSON IN ROME, ITALY IN TURMOIL
by Mike Shuster
Golden Sand in the Streets of the Eternal City. Wilson in a Foul Mood. Special to The Great Project (1 January) On New Year’s Day a century ago, “in a royal train provided by the Italian government, President Wilson and his wife headed for Rome,” the fourth of the Allies that fought the Germans to…
THE GREAT QUESTIONS EMERGE: WHO WON THE WAR?
by Mike Shuster
Wilson in Britain, New States Appearing How to Handle Them? Wilson Agitates for a League of Nations Special to The Great War Project (24 December) With the American President Woodrow Wilson now in Europe a century ago, the debate sharpens over which of the Allies was most responsible for defeating the Germans. Wilson is vociferous…
WILSON IN FRANCE, NOTHING SHORT OF SPECTACULAR
by Mike Shuster
The Problem with Self-Determination: A Pandora’s Box of Global Claims. But Who Really Won the War? Allies Not Pleased with Wilson’s View. Special to The Great War Project (17 December) President Wilson’s arrival in France is nothing less than remarkable. So observes historian Thomas Fleming. “On the president’s last night at sea, nine American battleships…
THE COST OF A SEAT AT THE PEACE TABLE
by Mike Shuster
Allies Tell Wilson: Stay Home Colonel House Agrees: Wilson Infuriated. Special to The Great War Project. (3 December) After the armistice is signed, General Pershing arrives in Paris “where he finds himself the toast of a delirious city.” So reports historian Thomas Fleming. “In the Place de la Concorde, his car was mobbed. Celebrating doughboys…
FIRST ALLIED TROOPS CROSS INTO GERMANY
by Mike Shuster
Americans See Germany for First Time. Out of Balkan Minorities, a New Pan-Slav State. Wilson Sailing for Europe. Special to The Great War Project. (26 November) On armistice day November 11th 1918, Austria was without an Empire and Germany was without an Emperor. So writes historian Martin Gilbert assessing the great political changes the war…
CELEBRATIONS JOYOUS BUT TOO SHORT
by Mike Shuster
Gaps in Every Home, Too Wide and Too Deep Germany Surrenders But ‘Doesn’t Know It is Licked’ Special to The Great War Project. (18 November) On the night of November 10th the negotiators in the Compiegne forest learn that the German government accepts the armistice terms of the Allies. The terms are tough and demanding…
A CRIPPLED, BROKEN WORLD
by Mike Shuster
Now the Numbers of Dead and Wounded. Fourteen Million Military and Civilian Casualties, All Told. Special to The Great War Project. (14 November) The toll that the war has taken is simply impossible to grasp. Simply put: millions dead and wounded world-wide. Perhaps Winston Churchill captured something of the terrible toll: The war, according to…