Armistice Day
On November 11, 1918 at 11a.m. the Armistice was enacted and the fighting of WWI ended. The terms of the Armistice were presented to Congress by President Wilson himself because he claimed that he needed to be the one communicating to Congress and the people. President Wilson’s 35 points clearly articulate the conditions that Germany agreed to when signing the Armistice. The terms included conditions on;
“Terms Read”
“Surrender of Guns"
“Evacuation”
“Neutral Zone”
“No Damage to be Done”
“Rolling Stock”
“Repatriation of Prisoner”
“Eastern Frontiers”
“General Clauses”
“Financial Conditions"
“Naval Conditions”
“Blockade of Force”
“Must not Destroy Ships”
“Duration of Armistice”
-Click Newspaper Article and click thumbnail again on second page for a closer look.
On the day of the Armistice “The Hartford Courant” joined in the celebrations why printing an article in celebration of the end of the war. Even this newspaper that had previously fought against the Armistice, were in full celebration on November 11, 1918. In an age without social media the article explains how the Major of Hartford notified the factories, locomotives, and fire station to ring their bells and whistles. This would have been the fastest way to notify the people about the triumphant end to The Great War. “The Hartford Courant” also emphasizes their own contribution to the celebration explaining that people lined up outside their doors to read bulletins and cheer until they were hoarse. Nevertheless it was a time of celebration and the tone of the article represents just that.
On November 11, 1918, Hartford Connecticut was celebrating the end of the War, just like the rest of America. By 4:30 groups had rallied together to form a parade through Hartford in order to properly celebrate the victory of the War. Some specific groups joined in the celebrations, such as a group of Italian immigrants. Makeshift floats and signs against Germany also found there way in the celebration. The crowds of people suggest that everyone was thrilled with the end of the war. Even those that had lost loved ones knew that the war was finally over and a victory had been gained.
Even with the excitement and celebration surrounding the Armistice, the American people still felt resentment for Germany. This photograph shows three young children, one dressed as a soldier boy, one dressed as the iconic Uncle Sam, and all holding American flags. More notable, however, is the sign held by “Uncle Sam” which proclaims, “To Hell With The Kaiser.” Kaiser was the name of a German or Austrian emperor in the Holy Roman Empire. Similar to a King, the Kaiser ruled over his subjects and led them into World War I. Therefore he was the focus of blame for many nations including America.