On December 7, 1916, he took office as Prime Minister and expanded the government's control over the economy domestically.

After the war, Lloyd George remained Prime Minister in the coalition government of the British Conservative Party and the British Liberal Party. During his tenure in public office, he introduced a number of reforms and laid the foundation for the modern welfare state.

Battle of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme also took place in 1916 and was a typical attrition battle, with heavy casualties on both sides, nearly 1 million. The purpose of this battle was to relieve the pressure at Verdun and attempt to break the deadlock of the front line. Although the outcome of the battle did not completely change the situation of the war, it marked the beginning of the Allies gradually regaining the initiative.

Typhus killed thousands on the Eastern Front. Infected people had high fever, skin rashes, and could die in severe cases. Trench fever caused soldiers periodic fever, headaches and dizziness. From 1915 to 1918, 1/5-1/3 of sick British soldiers and about 1/5 of sick German and Austrian soldiers got it

In June 1919, the victorious powers signed the Treaty of Versailles with Germany. The Central Powers were imposed with harsh terms: Germany had to pay huge war reparations, cede large areas of territory, and restrict its military forces. The Austro - Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire and others disintegrated directly, and the political map of Europe and even the world was redivided.

This outcome not only ended the war but also profoundly changed the world pattern.

第二次马恩河战役，又称兰斯战役，是第一次世界大战西线战役，发生于1918年7月15日至8月6日，是德军在西线的最后一次重大进攻，在法军率领的联军反攻和压制德军的过程中，德军伤亡惨重。

Central Powers

Core members: Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire; later, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria joined. Italy was a member at first but switched to the Allies in 1915.

The core goal was that Germany tried to get the leading power in Europe, the Austro-Hungarian Empire stopped the Balkan nations from becoming independent, and the other members wanted to take back or expand their lands.

Allied Powers

Core members: Britain, France, Russia (left in 1917), the United States joined in 1917, Italy in 1915, and also Serbia and other countries.

The core goal: Britain and France wanted to protect their own interests and hold back Germany; Russia once tried to expand its influence in the Balkans; the United States joined the war to keep its interests safe and get a voice in the world after the war.

Key Influences

After the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, the two major alliances joined the war one after another. This quickly turned the local conflict into a world war.

In the early stages of the campaign, the German army quickly advanced to the outskirts of Paris, and the French commander-in-chief, Xia Fei, organized the retreat and regrouping of the troops. The commander of the Paris garrison, Galieni, discovered the tactical loopholes exposed by the German right wing and directed the French Sixth Army to launch a counterattack, using about 600 taxis to urgently transport 6,000 soldiers to reinforce the front line. 9 On June 6th, the British and French forces launched a comprehensive counterattack, using the gap between the First and Second German armies to divide the German forces, forcing the German forces to retreat on September 9th. More than 2 million troops were deployed on both sides, making it the largest battle in the first month of World War I. After the German strategy of quick victory was set back, the western front entered a long-term stalemate.

The start of trench warfare on the Western Front.

Interesting facts:French army used taxi cabs to rush 6,000 soldiers to the front lines

This is also called "the miracle of Marne"since it symbolized French resilience

Important people:

Joseph Joffre (French): Commander-in-Chief of French Army, key planner.

John French (British): Commander of British Expeditionary Force.

Important figure

1. Julian Byng: British general, leader of Cambrai offensive.

2. Erich Ludendorff: German commander counterattacking at Cambrai.

3. Henry Rawlinson: British officer aiding Cambrai operations.

Prevented German armies from reaching

the Channel ports.

Heavy casualties on both sides followed by the stalemate of Western Front.

Interesting facts:

Young ,unecperienced rookies held off the German advance.

The area around Ypres experienced 5 wars during WWI, it was one of the bloodiest regions of the war.

The town was completely destroyed by artillery shelling but rebuilt after the war.

The peom "In flanders field "later beome a symbol on rememberance day

Important people:

1. Douglas Haig: British commander, led forces in later Ypres battles.

2. Ferdinand Foch: French general, coordinated Allied defenses.

3. Erich Ludendorff: German strategist behind major Ypres offensives.

At first, ten powerful countries (called the "Big Ten") controlled the conference. Later, the main power went to the "Big Three"—leaders from Britain, France and the United States. Italy had little say in things. Japan cared mostly about its own interests in the Asia-Pacific area. Small countries like China had their ideas completely ignored.

The conference followed "power politics"—it only focused on making Germany weaker, instead of building a fair and peaceful order. This broke the trust between countries completely. Germany was left alone, and the trend of extreme nationalism (thinking one’s own country is always right and better than others) got stronger.

This way of "letting the strong make the rules" not only made Germany want to take revenge later, but also upset the balance of the world order. It planted hidden troubles for conflicts in the future.

These strict rules made Germany’s economy break down—for example, in 1923, prices rose crazily and money became almost worthless. People totally lost trust in the Weimar Republic (Germany’s government at that time).

Hitler took this chance to call for “getting revenge and making Germany strong again.” He said the treaty was a “national shame” and quickly got support from people who were angry. This was the most direct reason that led to World War II, pushing Germany to build up its military and start seeking revenge.

1. Ferdinand Foch (French): Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces, core planner of the counteroffensive.

2. Philippe Pétain (French): Led French 6th Army, defended key positions firmly.

3. Joseph Joffre (French): Former Allied Commander, advised on strategic deployment.

Importance:

Allied armies attempt to open a sea route to Russia .

The campaign failed,causing heavy losses for Britain, France, Newzeland and Australia troops.

Boosted national pride

Interesting fact:

The soldiers faced unfavourable conditions including cliff,desease dehydration.

April 25th the day when Australia and Newzeland troops landed is now well known as the day of ANZAC Day

Important people:

1. Winston Churchill: British First Lord, key Gallipoli campaign initiator.

2. Otto Liman von Sanders: German commander defending Gallipoli.

3. Ian Hamilton: British general leading the Allied landing.

The League’s goal was to keep world peace, but the United States didn’t join it. What’s more, it didn’t have the power to force countries to follow its rules.

When Germany broke the treaty—like building up its military in 1935 and sending soldiers to take over the Rhineland in 1936—the League of Nations could only speak out against these actions. It couldn’t stop Germany at all.

This “weakness and letting things go” let Germany slowly break the treaty’s limits. Its military got stronger and stronger. Finally, Germany felt brave enough to launch a fast attack on Poland in 1939, which started World War II.

At the same time, the unfairness of the treaty also became an important lesson for the world after World War II: countries shouldn’t punish defeated nations in extreme ways anymore, so that the cycle of revenge wouldn’t happen again.

Role: One of the "Big Three" at the Paris Peace Conference, who proposed the "Fourteen Points" and advocated for the establishment of the League of Nations.

Role: One of the "Big Three" at the Paris Peace Conference, advocating for moderate punishment of Germany and maintaining the balance of power in Europe.

Role: One of the "Big Three" at the Paris Peace Conference, who proposed the "Fourteen Points" and advocated for the establishment of the League of Nations.

• Role: Argued for Shandong's rights at the Paris Peace Conference, ultimately leading to China's refusal to sign the treaty.