Peace Treaties of WWI Facts & Worksheets

Let’s find out more about the Peace Treaties in WWI!

At the end of World War I, five significant peace treaties were signed to establish stability and address the aftermath of the global conflict. Signed between 1919 and 1920, the treaties - including Versailles, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Trianon, Neuilly-sur-Seine, and Sèvres - aimed to redefine borders, impose reparations, and establish international organisations. However, the provisions of these treaties, particularly the perceived harshness of the Treaty of Versailles, sowed seeds of resentment, intensified geopolitical tensions, and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of World War II. Despite their intentions, the treaties failed to achieve lasting peace and had far-reaching unintended consequences.

TREATY OF VERSAILLES

• A peace agreement known as the Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 June 1919. It ended hostilities between Germany and the majority of the Allied Powers, making it the most significant treaty of World War I. Exactly five years after the war-starting death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, it was signed in the Palace of Versailles. 
• The United States never approved the Versailles deal and instead negotiated a separate peace deal with Germany. The other Central Powers on the German side signed separate accords. Even though the combat came to an end on 11 November 1918, it took the Allies six months of discussions at the Paris Peace Conference to reach a settlement. Germany was compelled to sign the agreement despite being barred from the discussions.
• Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Serbia in 1914 led to the involvement of numerous European nations in the conflict.
• The war expanded to different regions, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, as the Central Powers and Triple Entente coalitions clashed.
• Russia's Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in 1917 favoured Germany's surrender.
• Germany's attempt to achieve victory on the Western Front failed, leading to an armistice in November 1918.
• President Wilson's Fourteen Points aimed to establish a fair and democratic peace.

• After the ceasefire, occupied areas were evacuated, the Rhineland was seized by Allied forces, and a blockade of Germany was implemented, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
• The Treaty of Versailles was signed in June 1919 as a result of the peace negotiations.
• Delegations from many countries participated in the Paris discussions, except for Russian and German delegates.
• The Big Four (French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau, Italian Prime Minister Vittorio Emanuele Orlando, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, and United States President Woodrow Wilson) made crucial decisions in secret meetings, which were later approved by the broader assembly.

  

• 7 million people and 65,000 square km of land were taken from Germany. It had to concede the advantages won as a result of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which was signed between Germany and Russia in 1917, and grant the protectorates' freedom. The pact also brought about changes in Western Europe, notably the cession of power over the Eupen-Malmedy region and the recognition of Belgian sovereignty over Moresnet. Several areas of Central Europe, including Upper Silesia, Czechoslovakia, and Poland, achieved independence or had their borders changed due to plebiscites. Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France.
• German colonies that were turned into League of Nations mandates required Germany to give up its claim to sovereignty over them. Allied nations including France, Belgium, South Africa, Britain, and Japan received these lands.
• The treaty placed severe limitations on the German army (the Reichswehr). Germany was forced to demobilise its troops, cutting the size of its army to no more than 100,000 soldiers and dissolving the General Staff. There were fewer military schools and conscription, and the Rhineland was demilitarised. It was forbidden for Germany to deal in guns, possess chemical weapons, or have an air force. The size and capabilities of the German fleet were drastically diminished.
• Germany acknowledged responsibility for the war's casualties and destruction. To assess the precise amount of reparations Germany would have to pay, the treaty created a Commission for Reparations. Germany was obligated to make a payment of 20 billion gold marks ($5 billion) in gold, goods, ships, stocks, or other assets. The funds would assist payment for the expenditures of the Allied occupation and provide Germany with food and raw supplies.

TREATY OF SAINT-GERMAIN

• The Republic of German-Austria and the victorious Allies of World War I both signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye on 10 September 1919. Because it incorporated the Covenant of the League of Nations, like the Treaties of Trianon with Hungary and of Versailles with Germany, it was not approved by the United States and was replaced by the US-Austrian Peace Treaty of 1921. The Château of Saint-Germain-en-Laye served as the site of the treaty signing event.
• The borders of the empire were redrawn into countries namely: Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Lithuania, Austria, Yugoslavia, Hungary, and Romania. 
• The aftermath of World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire brought significant changes to the region. The Armistice of Villa Giusti ended the empire's union with Austria, while new states like the Yugoslav Kingdom, Czechoslovakia, and Poland emerged. However, territorial disputes led to conflicts, with Italian and Yugoslav forces capturing parts of Austria. In 1919, Karl Renner was re-elected as state chancellor, and the House of Habsburg-Lorraine was forbidden by the Habsburg Law. The Treaty of Saint-Germain in 1919 and the Treaty of Trianon in 1920 reorganised the old Dual Monarchy, shaping the political landscape of the region.
• The Austro-Hungarian Empire was dissolved, and the Republic of Austria recognised the independence of several neighbouring countries.
• Austria accepted responsibility for starting the war and agreed to pay war reparations, although the exact amount was not specified.
• Austria experienced significant territorial losses, including the cession of Bohemia and Moravia to Czechoslovakia, the return of Galicia and Lodomeria to Poland, and the transfer of Bukovina to Romania.
• Austria also lost South Tyrol, Trentino, Istria, and parts of Dalmatia to Italy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were ceded to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
• Austria's overseas possession in Tianjin was returned to China.
• Certain areas with German and Croatian populations were awarded to Austria, while Sopron and surrounding villages were later returned to Hungary through a plebiscite.
• Austria was prohibited from entering into political or economic union with Germany without the agreement of the League of Nations.
• Conscription was abolished, and the Austrian Army was limited to a volunteer force of 30,000.
• The breakup of the empire had a severe economic impact on Austria, particularly in Vienna, which lost its imperial support and faced challenges to its unity.

TREATY OF NEUILLY

• With the help of the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine, Bulgaria was subjected to harsh sanctions and territorial changes. The agreement was the outcome of Bulgaria's participation in World War I as one of the Central Powers, when it battled the Allied Powers. 
• The treaty, which was signed on 27 November 1919, at Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris, France, sought to resolve the repercussions of Bulgaria's involvement in the war and its aggression towards its neighbours. The political, geographic, and economic environment of Bulgaria was significantly impacted by the conditions of the treaty.
• Bulgaria had to cede Western Thrace to Greece, cutting off its direct access to the Aegean Sea.
• Bulgaria was required to sign a convention on population exchange with Greece.
• A portion of Bulgaria's western border with Yugoslavia (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes) had to be ceded.
• Bulgaria had to return the region of Dobruja to Romania, restoring the pre-war border.
• Confiscated property from foreign territories occupied by Bulgarian forces had to be returned or compensated for.
• Bulgaria's army size was limited to 20,000 soldiers.
• Bulgaria had to pay £100 million in reparations to the Allied Powers.
• Bulgaria was obligated to recognise the existence of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.

TREATY OF TRIANON

• The Treaty of Trianon, also known as the Trianon Peace Dictate or the Trianon Dictate in Hungary, was drafted during the Paris Peace Conference and signed on 4 June 1920, at Versailles' Grand Trianon. Between the majority of the World War I Allies and the Kingdom of Hungary, it officially brought an end to the conflict. The pact was mostly drafted by French diplomats with the intention of creating a coalition of the recently constituted republics under French leadership.
• It was a result of Bulgaria's involvement in World War I as a member of the Central Powers. Bulgaria aimed to expand its territory and achieve national development, but suffered several defeats, including the crucial Battle of Dobro Pole. As the war turned in favour of the Allied Powers, Bulgaria faced military and economic exhaustion, along with internal discontent and political instability. Seeking a separate peace, Bulgaria engaged in negotiations that led to the Neuilly-sur-Seine Treaty. The treaty aimed to punish Bulgaria by imposing significant territorial losses, reparations, and military restrictions, curbing its imperial aspirations.
• Hungary had to recognise the complete independence of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and the State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs (later merged into Yugoslavia).

  

• Hungary was required to cede territories to neighbouring countries, including Transylvania to Romania, Slovakia and Ruthenia to Czechoslovakia, and parts of Slovenia and Croatia to Yugoslavia.
• The treaty reduced Hungary's territory by approximately two-thirds compared to its pre-war borders.
• Hungary had to accept restrictions on its military forces and was prohibited from maintaining an air force or heavy artillery.
• The treaty imposed financial reparations on Hungary, though the exact amount was never specified.
• The rights of ethnic minorities in Hungary were protected, and the country was required to grant them cultural autonomy.
• Hungary had to accept the loss of its access to the Adriatic Sea and the Danube River, resulting in significant economic implications.
• The treaty recognised the internationalisation of Budapest, allowing for the free passage of goods and people through the city.
• Hungary's natural resources, such as coal and gold mines, were either nationalised or transferred to neighbouring countries.
• The treaty limited Hungary's sovereignty and placed it under the supervision of the League of Nations.

TREATY OF SÈVRES

• The Treaty of Sèvres, signed on 10 August 1920, was an agreement between the Ottoman Empire and the Allies of World War I. The treaty established occupation zones within the Ottoman Empire and allocated significant portions of Ottoman territory to France, the United Kingdom, Greece, and Italy. It was one of several agreements made following the Central Powers' defeat in the war. The treaty was signed in Sèvres, France, and initiated the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire. According to its terms, Turkey was required to surrender non-Turkish populated regions to the Allies.
• The Treaty of Sèvres aimed to restructure the post-World War I Middle East and address the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.
• It recognised the independence of several successor states, including Armenia, Kurdistan, and an Arab state that was later replaced by League of Nations mandates.
• Greece was granted significant territories, including Thrace and Smyrna (Izmir), as part of the treaty.
• The Turkish Straits (Bosporus and Dardanelles) were to be internationalised and placed under the control of an international commission.
• Turkey was burdened with heavy financial reparations for war damages and losses.
• The treaty imposed strict military limitations on Turkey, including reducing its army size, prohibiting an air force, and restricting heavy artillery.
• Non-Turkish communities within Turkey, such as Armenians, Greeks, and other minorities, were granted protection for their religious and cultural rights.
• The treaty provided for the establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region within Turkey.
• Turkey was required to relinquish control over its colonies, with territories like Libya and Iraq placed under international administration or granted independence.
• The provisions of the Treaty of Sèvres were not fully implemented due to the Turkish War of Independence, which led to the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, replacing Sèvres and establishing modern Turkey's borders.