Let's explore France in 1918 - 100 Years History Challenge @Sndbox

Today, i will presente you the situation of France in 1918, which is my country !

As you already know, 1918 was the year of the end of the First World War, but it did not officially end until November, so it was a long year for my country!

(Source : Anders)

The year start with "Fourteen Points", the speech of US President Wilson, which mainly deals with :

Freedom of the seas, free trade, reduction of armaments and right of colonized peoples to self-determination.
Several points on the territorial questions such as : the restitution of Alsace-Lorraine to France, creation of an independent Polish state, and to give to Poland an access to the sea.
The idealism of the League of Nations.

Spring offensives followed, which was a series of German attacks along the Western Front.

(Source : wikipedia/archive, History Department of the US Military Academy West Point)

The Germans began a bombing on March 23 with the "Pariser Kanonen" which will last until August 9 of the same year, they could shoot more than 120 km (± 75 miles).

Consequences :

Nearly 370 shells fired on Paris
More than 250 victims

(Source : Wikipedia/archive, creator unknown)

Followed by the 3rd Battle of the Aisne in May which was in fact a diversion to prevent the French from helping the British on their front from where they foresee an attack.

Then some offensive and counter-offensive like the Second Battle of the Marne, resulted in a decisive Allied victory.

(Source : swampyacresfarm, La Pensée)

After a lot of conflict, the armistice is finally signed on November 11, ending the war!
This is the victory of the Allies and the total defeat of Germany.

The war ends with more than 18 million dead and 23 million injured (around 60% military and 40% civilians).

(Source : Wikipedia/archive, creator unknown)

Finality :

Alsace-Lorraine is restored to France.
The war has engaged significant military expenditure, and cost more than 20 billion francs (instead of 5 in 1914 for comparison)!
The public deficit reaches an abyssal level.
4,000 communes or 3,337,000 hectares (12884 miles²) are devastated or degraded.