Post-WW1 Treaties and Their Impact on Europe

Brest-Litovsk Treaty

Peace agreement between Russia and Central Powers.

Weimar Republic

German government from 1918 to 1933.

Clemenceau

French leader seeking revenge on Germany.

Lloyd George

UK leader focused on security and colonial interests.

Woodrow Wilson

U.S. president advocating 'peace without victory'.

Council of Four

Key leaders at Versailles negotiations.

Treaty of Versailles

1919 agreement ending WW1, imposing penalties on Germany.

War Guilt Clause

Germany accepted full responsibility for WW1.

Reparations

Financial penalties imposed on Germany post-WW1.

Demilitarization

Restrictions on German military capabilities after WW1.

Territorial Losses

Germany lost significant territories post-Treaty of Versailles.

League of Nations

International organization promoting peace, excluding Germany initially.

Alsace-Lorraine

Territory returned to France from Germany.

Polish Corridor

Area separating Germany from Prussia, given to Poland.

Mandates

Colonies administered by League of Nations on behalf of Allies.

Failed Treaties

Series of ineffective agreements post-WW1.

Civil unrest

Instability in newly acquired territories after WW1.

Democratic Party

Wilson's party, became minority post-WW1.

Isolationism

U.S. policy prioritizing American interests over European affairs.

Revolutions

Political upheavals in newly formed states post-WW1.

Hall of Mirrors

Location of Versailles negotiations, symbolizing power dynamics.

Orlando

Italian leader with distinct agenda at Versailles.

War Criminals

Individuals tried for war crimes after WW2.

Successor States

Newly formed states from existing territories.

Self Determination

Right of people to govern themselves.

Treaty of Saint-Germain

1919 treaty ending Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Newly Formed States

States created from populations of former empires.

South Tyrol

Territory taken by Italy from Austria.

Czechoslovakia

New nation formed from Bohemia and Moravia.

Poland

New nation formed from Galicia territory.

Yugoslavia

New nation formed from Dalmatia and Carniola.

Romania

Gained Bukovina from Austria after WWI.

Treaty of Neuilly

1919 treaty with Bulgaria post-WWI.

Western Thrace

Territory given to Greece for Aegean access.

Macedonia

Region associated with Kingdom Groups in Yugoslavia.

Treaty of Sevres

1920 treaty dissolving the Ottoman Empire.

Self Determination

Wilson's principle based on language groups.

War Guilt Clause

Germany declared guilty for initiating WWI.

Reparations Commission

Established in 1921 to assess reparations.

John Maynard Keynes

Economist predicting inflation from reparations.

Clemenceau

French leader favoring harsh terms on Germany.

Isolationism

U.S. policy rejecting involvement in League of Nations.

Treaty of London

Agreement promising territorial rewards to Italy.

Diktat

German term for imposed treaty conditions.

Disintegration

Breakup of Austro-Hungarian Empire post-WWI.

Turkish War of Independence

Revolution against foreign control in Turkey.

Political instability

Result of significant territorial losses in Bulgaria.

Deep Resentment

German reaction to harsh reparations and guilt.

Disappointment of Italy

Felt betrayed by unfulfilled territorial promises.

Historical criticisms

Long-term instability from post-war treaties.

Versailles Peace Talks

Germany did not attend; had to accept terms.

Wilson's 14 Points

Peace not based on these expected principles.

Economic Collapse

Result of harsh reparations imposed on Germany.

Security Concerns

Germany faced forced disarmament and troop limitations.

Loss of Colonies

German colonies taken over by League of Nations.

Displaced People

Germans lived under foreign governments post-WWI.

Polish Corridor

Separated German East Prussia from Germany.

War Guilt Clause

Germany blamed entirely for WWI consequences.

Heavy Reparations

Payments that led to Germany's economic bankruptcy.

Successor States

New countries formed post-WWI with self-determination.

Self Determination Issues

Simplistic approach ignored ethnic and religious diversity.

Minority Rule

30 million minorities placed under foreign governance.

Political Instability

Result of new population demographics and borders.

Rise of Dictators

Leaders with absolute power emerged in successor states.

Yugoslavia's Formation

Established in 1918, faced ethnic disputes.

King Alexander I

Became dictator of Yugoslavia amid instability.

Little Entente

Alliance of Czechoslovakia, Romania, and France.

Poland's Political Chaos

Dictator Pilsudski led military coup in 1926.

Polish-Soviet War

Conflict over territories from 1919 to 1921.

Czechoslovakia's Stability

Prosperous due to raw materials and alliances.

Austria's Economic Problems

Landlocked, faced rampant inflation and debts.

Hungary's Red Terror

Violent campaign led by Communist Bela Kun.

The White Terror

Counter-revolutionary violence against communists in Hungary.

Historical Debate

Criticism of Paris Peace Conference's effectiveness.