Europe's Transformation After the Great War

Europe After the War

The Peace Treaties

The Paris Peace Conference hosted discussions that shaped the peace treaties presented by the victorious countries. Each defeated nation signed a separate treaty, although these shared common terms. A key influence was Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points. War compensation boards were established, and to prevent future conflicts, all peace agreements included the creation of the League of Nations—a precursor to the UN, designed as a platform for dialogue and conflict resolution.

• The Treaty of Versailles (1919): Signed with Germany, this treaty set a precedent with its harsh conditions. Alsace and Lorraine were returned to France; the Duchy of Schleswig went to Denmark; the Danzig Corridor, linking Poland to the Baltic coast, was established, with Danzig declared a free city; Poland's creation was recognized; the economically significant Saarland was placed under League of Nations administration (though controlled by France and Great Britain); the territory west of the Rhine was demilitarized; union with Austria was forbidden; the German army was limited, military aviation was prohibited, and the navy was reduced to a few coast guard vessels; and Germany was burdened with massive war reparations.
• The Treaty of Saint-Germain (1919): Signed with Austria under similar conditions to the Treaty of Versailles. Austria lost territories, including Tyrol to Italy and parts of Istria. The Austrian Empire was dissolved, leading to the creation of Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and parts of Poland. The Austrian army was also limited.
• The Treaty of Neuilly (1919): Signed with Bulgaria. Bulgaria lost territory in Western Thrace to Greece, losing its Aegean Sea outlet, and its army was reduced.
• The Treaty of Trianon (1920): Signed with Hungary, recognizing it as an independent country. Hungary lost territory and its army was reduced.
• The Treaty of Sèvres (1920): Signed with Turkey. Turkey ceded territories on the Aegean coast and some islands to Greece, although the conflict between them continued. Turkey also lost control over vast Middle Eastern territories (Egypt, Palestine, Iraq), which were placed under League of Nations administration and subsequently became protectorates of France and the UK.

Implications

• Demographic: The war resulted in unprecedented casualties, with an estimated 10 million deaths.
• Economic: Widespread destruction, particularly in northern France and Poland, crippled economies. Europe lost its position as the leading economic power to the United States. New economic powers emerged, including Japan and the Soviet Union.
• Political: New states emerged, while historical dynasties and monarchies disappeared.
• Social: Rural exodus to cities increased. A new class of wealthy individuals emerged. Ideas of revenge spread, sowing the seeds of fascism.

Commentary and Analysis

Classification: This text resembles a public speech, possibly intended to inform the audience about the implications of imperialism.

Attribution: The speech is attributed to Lord Salisbury (Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury), a prominent British politician and former Prime Minister, delivered on May 4, 1898, at the Albert Hall in London.

Analysis:

Literal: Salisbury ironically divides nations into the "living" (major powers) and the "dying" (colonies).

Logical: The speech aims to explain the global distribution of power and the future of imperialism. Salisbury's ironic tone suggests a firm stance against England's exclusion from any territorial division.

Context: The speech coincides with a key moment in imperialism, marked by conflicts between major powers over colonial interests, such as the Fashoda Incident between Britain and France in 1898. Salisbury predicts further conflicts arising from the colonization of weaker nations. He defends the actions of major powers by suggesting that these "dying" nations are seeking assistance and solidarity.

Salisbury's statement, "We will not allow that England is at a disadvantage in any adjustment that might occur," reflects Britain's determination to maintain its position in the face of territorial divisions, such as those agreed upon in the Berlin Conference of 1885, which divided Africa among European powers.