Territorial Changes After World War I

In 1914, there broke out a war that soon engulfed the whole of the world in its vicious circle. This history is called the First World War. It was different from the previous wars in many respects. It was fought worldwide and profoundly influenced all the countries of the world. It was fought on land, in the air, and under the sea. New methods of destruction and defence were used in it. It was opposed not only by armies, navies, and air forces but by the whole people of the world. It brought an unexpected disaster and sowed the seeds of more discord for the future. World War I led to the collapse of the Russian empire, Ottoman Empire, and Austro-Hungary Empire. 

Effects of World War I on Different Empires

The First World War ended in 1918. The world breathed a sigh of relief, but no one could have predicted that 20 years later, another war would erupt that would be even more devastating than the first. The peace treaties concluded with the defeated countries like Germany, Austria, Hungary, Turkey, etc., failed to lay the foundation of a just and durable peace.

1. The Austro – Hungary Empire 

Austria-Hungary had also been forced to accept a separate treaty (the Treaty of St. Germain) with the Allied forces, under which she agreed to the following terms.

1) Austria-Hungary empire dissolved into Austria and Hungary, two separate kingdoms.

(2) Austria was forced to surrender provinces to Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Poland in exchange for independence.

(3) Italy also took over certain territories from Austria, such as Tyrol.

(4) The Austrian troops were reduced to 30,000 troops.

(5) Austria was also compelled to pay a massive war indemnity. 

2. The Ottoman Empire

Siding with Germany in World War I may have been the most significant reason for the Ottoman empire’s collapse. Before the war, the Ottoman Empire had signed a secret treaty with Germany, which was a terrible choice.

The Ottoman empire collapsed into Turkey, which was also forced to sign a separate Hungary treaty (i.e., the Treaty of Sevres), by which she was harshly forced to accept the following terms:

(1) This treaty called for the Turkish empire to be completely dismembered. France was given control of Syria, while Britain commanded Palestine and Mesopotamia.

(2) England took control of The region of Egypt from Turkey.

(3) Greece and Italy shared the majority of the current Turkish territories.

However, the Treaty of Sevres could not be put into practice because there was a revolution under Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s leadership, whereby Turkey regained control of Asia Minor and the city of Constantinople.

3. The Russian Empire

The Russian Revolution arose due to the influence of World War I. In February and March 1917, a democratic uprising forced Tsar Nicholas II’s abdication and the establishment of a provisional government. This administration, which managed to keep Russia in the war, was overthrown eight months later by radical socialists.

1. Two years of total war had put a massive strain on all members of the military nations by the end of 1916. None felt this more acutely than Russia, which had joined the war confidently but in a complex political, economic, and social situation.
2. The Russian economy had made significant production progress in the two decades preceding 1914, but it remained underdeveloped and unprepared to supply a prolonged war.
3. Russia’s government was still influenced by the tsarist authoritarian rule, which claimed spirituality instead of famous political authority.
4. World War I led to the collapse of the Russian Empire, due to which they suffered a huge loss.

Conclusion

It has already been explained how the Treaty of Versailles concluded with Germany was unjust and very severe. Like Germany, her allies, such as Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria, etc., were also treated harshly. Many portions were taken away from them. The League of Nations failed to bring about world peace. When Hitler took control of Germany, he continued to refuse to sign the Treaty of Versailles. He began to expand his empire and strengthen his military might. Because of his aggressive Asia policy, Europe soon became divided into two rival groups. The Cold War took place, culminating in the Second World War in 1939.