Redraw Of National Boundaries

In the first half of the 20th century, the world witnessed two World Wars. One of the aftermath of these wars was the redraw of national boundaries. In these World Wars, more than 32 countries had participated. It led to the redrawing of the world map and reshaped many national borders across the European continent. Many national boundaries were redrawn across Europe and other parts of the world. It led to the formation of new countries with independent governments. This article will discuss and understand the most considerable aftermath of the World Wars – Redrawing of National Boundaries. It formed new national boundaries and some important international borders. 

National Borders Definition

A national border can be defined as a line of demarcation between two or more countries. These lines of demarcation divide countries and serve as the national boundaries of the respective countries. Some countries have physical borders, like rivers, mountain ranges, oceans and deserts. An example of a physical national border is the Rio Grande which serves as a national border between the United States and Mexico. 

National borders are vital for every government. These determine where a government has power and where a country’s citizens live. After the World Wars, there was a drastic change in the world map as new countries were drawn and some national boundaries were erased. The two World Wars ended with multiple redrawing of national boundaries. 

Redrawing National Boundaries After World War I

At the end of World War I, came the Treaty of Versailles. In this Treaty, the winning countries, which were the Axis Powers, made changes to the map of Europe. The architects of this Treaty were the US President Woodrow Wilson, French Premier George Clemenceau and British PM David George.  

The Treaty of Versailles resulted in boundaries and the formation of new Nation-states. The post-war Treaty dissected old empires into new small countries. This change caused huge land losses for the Central Powers. This side consisted of Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. Changes caused due to the Treaty of Versailles caused changed the geo-political face of Europe. 

Here is how redrawing of the national boundaries in Europe took place: 

• The former empire of Austria-Hungary was dissolved, and new Nation-states were created. Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia were the latest countries formed in place of the kingdom.
• The Ottoman Turks gave up a lot of their land in Southwest Asia and the Middle East. In Europe, the only country they could retain was Turkey.
• Poland was a country that was divided between Germany, the Soviet Union and Austria-Hungary. However, according to the Treaty, it was now reconstituted
• The Soviet Union’s land was divided to form new nations. These nations were Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
• The Soviet Union and Austria-Hungary gave up the additional border in Romania and Poland

Redrawing National Boundaries After World War II

After World War II, the focus was on tightening national boundaries. The countries that fought in the world wars were most focused on regrouping internally after the destruction suffered during the war. The Prussian Kingdom was dissolved. It became part of Germany. Russia annexed the Baltic states alongside regions from Czechoslovakia and Romania.

Germany was divided into two countries, East Germany and West Germany. East Germany was controlled by the Soviet Union. It turned it into a communist state. West Germany was a republic. It was known as a Non-Communist West. 

The following years after World War II, battles still went on between nation-states for smaller territories like singular cities and towns whose ownership had been continually inconsistent for the war. This phenomenon is similar across the whole world and not singular to Europe.

In the post World War II period, Britain gave up several of its colonies. India was one such colony, and it changed its national borders as well. On the East was India and on the west was Pakistan. Other states too separated themselves from Britain and set new national boundaries.

The state of Jordan separated from Palestine and formed its national-territorial border. Taiwan fell into the territory of China via annexation, among other similar domains close by to China that managed. 

The post World War II period continued till the end of the Cold War to the point of dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union lost several territories over time. Its national boundaries became an enormous mess and a central point of contention before it dissolved in 1991. Several states attempted to leave the USSR before its dissolution after World War II. It left the Soviet state in a lurch.