Paris Peace Treaties (1919–1923) Notes

Overview

1. After World War I, the victorious Allied powers met in Paris to create peace treaties with the defeated Central Powers.
2. These treaties were meant to redraw borders, assign blame, and prevent future conflict.
3. However, the terms were often harsh and created long-term resentment, especially in Germany and the successor states of Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.

Each defeated country was given its own treaty:

• Germany – Treaty of Versailles
• Austria – Treaty of St Germain
• Hungary – Treaty of Trianon
• Bulgaria – Treaty of Neuilly
• Ottoman Empire – Treaty of Sèvres (later revised at Lausanne)

Treaty of Versailles (Germany, 1919)

Aims:

1. Punish Germany and prevent future aggression.
2. Make Germany pay reparations and accept war guilt.
3. Redraw European borders and weaken Germany’s military.

Responses:

1. Germany saw the treaty as a “Diktat” (dictated peace) and deeply resented Article 231.
2. The treaty created anger across the political spectrum and fueled the rise of extremism.
3. Allies saw it as a necessary punishment; some, like the U.S., thought it was too harsh.

Treaty of St Germain (Austria, 1919)

Aims:

1. Break up the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
2. Establish new states based on nationality (e.g. Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia).

Responses:

1. Austria lost much of its industrial territory, creating serious economic hardship.
2. Many Germans were left outside Austria, creating discontent (especially in Sudetenland).
3. Austria became landlocked and unstable.

Treaty of Trianon (Hungary, 1920)

Aims:

1. Finalize the breakup of Hungary from Austria.
2. Reward neighboring states like Romania and Yugoslavia.

Responses:

1. Hungarian nationalists called it a national tragedy.
2. Millions of ethnic Hungarians found themselves in foreign countries.
3. Hungary became bitter, revisionist, and politically unstable.

Treaty of Neuilly (Bulgaria, 1919)

Aims:

1. Punish Bulgaria for siding with the Central Powers.
2. Reward neighboring states like Greece and Romania.

Responses:

1. Bulgaria felt humiliated, especially by losing access to the Aegean Sea.
2. However, it was less harsh than the treaties with Germany or Hungary.

Treaty of Sèvres (1920) & Treaty of Lausanne (1923) – Ottoman Empire

Aims:

1. Break up the Ottoman Empire and divide its territories among the Allies.
2. Create new mandates (e.g. Syria to France, Iraq and Palestine to Britain).

Responses:

1. The Ottoman Empire effectively ceased to exist.
2. Turkey became a republic under Atatürk.
3. Lausanne was the only treaty successfully renegotiated, showing that force could undo peace terms.