The 'Other' WW1 Peace Treaties: St Germain, Trianon, Neuilly, Sèvres - GCSE & IGCSE History Revision

Summary

In this informative video, Mr. Alsup delves into the peace treaties following World War I, focusing on the Treaty of Versailles and four other significant agreements: the Treaty of San Germain, Treaty of Trianon, Treaty of Neuilly, and Treaty of Sevres. Each treaty drastically reshaped European borders and political landscapes, leading to the dissolution of empires and the creation of new nations. The video highlights the territorial losses faced by Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey, and concludes with the emergence of modern Turkey following the Treaty of Lausanne. This overview emphasizes the lasting impact of these treaties on contemporary geopolitics.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Treaty of Versailles is often the most discussed, but four other significant treaties also shaped post-World War I Europe and the Middle East.
• 🇦🇹 The Treaty of Saint-Germain (1919) dissolved the Habsburg Empire, significantly reducing Austria's territory and making it a landlocked nation.
• ✂️ Austria lost key industrial regions to Czechoslovakia, and parts of its territory were ceded to Italy and Yugoslavia as a result of the Treaty of Saint-Germain.
• 💣 Military restrictions under the Treaty of Saint-Germain limited the Austrian army to just 30,000 soldiers, and unification with Germany was forbidden.
• 🇭🇺 The Treaty of Trianon (1920) forced Hungary to recognize new states and cede significant territories, including Transylvania to Romania.
• 🪖 Hungary's military was also restricted to 35,000 troops, and the country was required to pay reparations after the war.
• 🇧🇬 The Treaty of Neuilly (1919) compelled Bulgaria to surrender its Aegean coastline to Greece and reduce its military to 20,000 soldiers.
• 🗺️ The Treaty of Sèvres (1920) sought to partition the Ottoman Empire, leading to the loss of territories for Turkey and the establishment of new states like Armenia and Kurdistan.
• ✊ The Treaty of Sèvres faced strong opposition from Turkish nationalists, leading to the Turkish War of Independence and the eventual Treaty of Lausanne (1923).
• 🇹🇷 The Treaty of Lausanne recognized Turkish sovereignty over Anatolia and replaced the harsh terms of the Treaty of Sèvres, establishing modern Turkey.

Q & A

What was the primary focus of Mr. Alsup's video?

The video provides an overview of the peace treaties signed after World War I, particularly focusing on the Treaty of Versailles and four other treaties related to Germany's allies.

What were the main outcomes of the Treaty of Saint-Germain in 1919?

The Treaty of Saint-Germain formally dismantled the Habsburg Empire, reduced Austria's territory to 25%, made it landlocked, limited its military to 30,000 soldiers, and prohibited union with Germany.

How did the Treaty of Trianon affect Hungary?

The Treaty of Trianon recognized the independence of new states and resulted in significant territorial losses for Hungary, including parts of Slovakia to Czechoslovakia and Transylvania to Romania.

What were Bulgaria's territorial changes as a result of the Treaty of Neuilly?

Bulgaria lost its Aegean coastline to Greece and ceded territories to the newly formed Yugoslavia, which led to the displacement of approximately 300,000 Bulgarians.

What were the implications of the Treaty of Sèvres for Turkey?

The Treaty of Sèvres imposed harsh terms on Turkey, including the loss of Arab territories and the establishment of mandates for various regions, leading to significant nationalistic opposition.

What role did Mustafa Kemal Pasha play in the aftermath of the Treaty of Sèvres?

Mustafa Kemal Pasha emerged as a leader of the nationalist movement opposing the Treaty of Sèvres, ultimately leading the Turkish War of Independence against occupying forces.

How did the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923 alter the terms set by the Treaty of Sèvres?

The Treaty of Lausanne replaced the Treaty of Sèvres, recognizing Smyrna, Anatolia, and Thrace as sovereign Turkish territory and establishing the modern state of Turkey.

What military restrictions were imposed on Austria and Hungary by their respective treaties?

Austria was limited to an army of 30,000 soldiers under the Treaty of Saint-Germain, while Hungary's military was restricted to 35,000 men under the Treaty of Trianon.

Why did the Treaty of Sèvres lead to significant unrest in Turkey?

The Treaty of Sèvres was viewed as humiliating and harsh, leading to widespread opposition among the Turkish populace who were offended by the loss of their empire and foreign control over their territory.

What was the overall impact of these treaties on the geopolitical landscape of Europe and the Middle East?

These treaties redrew borders, created new nations, imposed reparations, and restricted military capabilities, laying the groundwork for future conflicts and national identities in Europe and the Middle East.