Austria-Hungary's Treaty Of Versailles Gains

The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, imposed a series of harsh terms on the defeated Central Powers, including Austria-Hungary. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was dismantled, with its territories ceded to newly formed states like Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia). Austria and Hungary were divided and signed separate treaties, the Treaty of St. Germain and the Treaty of Trianon, respectively. These treaties reduced Austria's territory by 60% and Hungary's by 72%, and both countries lost access to vital resources and economic infrastructure. The treaties also imposed military restrictions and, while reparations were mandated, the amounts were never set. The treaties were dictated by the victorious Allies and not negotiated, leading to deep resentment in both Austria and Hungary.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was dismantled

The Austro-Hungarian monarchy collapsed dramatically in the autumn of 1918. Leftist and pacifist political movements organized strikes in factories, and uprisings in the army had become commonplace. These leftist or left-liberal pro-Entente maverick parties opposed the monarchy as a form of government and considered themselves internationalist rather than patriotic. Eventually, the German defeat and the minor revolutions in Vienna and Budapest gave political power to the left/liberal political parties.

As the war went on, ethnic unity declined, and the Allies encouraged breakaway demands from minorities. The Empire faced disintegration as it became apparent that the Allied powers would win World War I. Nationalist movements, which had previously been calling for a greater degree of autonomy for various areas, started pressing for full independence. In the capital cities of Vienna and Budapest, the leftist and liberal movements and opposition parties strengthened and supported the separatism of ethnic minorities. The multiethnic Austro-Hungarian Empire started to disintegrate, leaving its army alone on the battlefields. The military breakdown of the Italian front marked the start of the rebellion for the numerous ethnicities who made up the multiethnic Empire, as they refused to keep fighting for a cause that now appeared senseless.

The remaining territories inhabited by divided peoples fell into the composition of existing or newly formed states. The collapse of the empire was formalized in the September 1919 Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye with Austria, which also acted as a peace treaty after World War I, and in the June 1920 Treaty of Trianon with Hungary. Later, additional territories were ceded to other countries.

The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye established the Republic of Austria, consisting of most of the truncated German-speaking regions of the Habsburg state. The Austrian Empire ceded crown lands to newly established successor states like Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the Kingdom of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. It also relinquished the South Tyrol, Trieste, Trentino, and Istria to Italy, and Bukovina to Romania. An important tenet of the treaty barred Austria from compromising its newly formed independence, effectively barring it from unification with Germany.

The other portion of the Dual Monarchy, Hungary, also became an independent state under the terms of the Treaty of Trianon. Hungary ceded Transylvania to Romania; Slovakia and Transcarpathian Rus to the newly formed Czechoslovakia; and other Hungarian crown lands to the future Yugoslavia. The post-1920 Hungary became a landlocked state that included 93,073 square kilometres, 28% of the 325,411 square kilometres that had constituted the pre-war Kingdom of Hungary. The kingdom had a population of 7.6 million, 36% compared to the pre-war kingdom's population of 20.9 million. Though the areas that were allocated to neighbouring countries had a majority of non-Hungarians, in them lived 3.3 million Hungarians – 31% of the Hungarians – who then became minorities. The Austro-Hungarian Navy ceased to exist, and the Hungarian army was limited to 35,000 officers and men.

Austria and Hungary signed separate treaties

The Treaty of Versailles, signed on May 7, 1919, imposed a series of harsh terms on the defeated Central Powers, including Germany and Austria-Hungary. While Germany was dealt a humiliating blow, the Austro-Hungarian Empire bore the brunt of the treaty, resulting in the complete dismantling of the country and the exile of its ancient monarchy. As a consequence of the treaty, Austria and Hungary signed separate treaties and underwent significant territorial, demographic, and economic changes.

Austria

Austria, through the Treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye, signed on September 10, 1919, became a republic and lost substantial territories. Austria ceded crown lands to newly established states like Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia). It relinquished South Tyrol, Trieste, Trentino, and Istria to Italy and Bukovina to Romania. Austria was also barred from unification with Germany, a goal long sought by "Pan-Germanists." The Austrian state lost approximately 60% of the old Austrian Empire's territory and was left with a population of 7.6 million, a significant reduction.

Hungary

Hungary, on the other hand, signed the Treaty of Trianon on June 4, 1920, which resulted in significant territorial losses. Hungary ceded Transylvania to Romania, Slovakia and Transcarpathian Rus to Czechoslovakia, and other crown lands to Yugoslavia. Hungary's size was reduced from 283,000 sq km to less than 93,000 sq km, and its population decreased from 18.2 million to 7.6 million. The treaty also limited Hungary's army to 35,000 officers and men, and the Austro-Hungarian Navy ceased to exist. The current boundaries of Hungary are largely the same as those defined by the Treaty of Trianon, and the decisions made during this time continue to be a source of deep resentment in Hungary.

Austria became a republic

The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, imposed a series of harsh terms on the defeated Central Powers, including Austria-Hungary. As a result of the treaty, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was dismantled, its ancient monarchy exiled, and its economy left in ruins. The empire was divided into its component parts, with separate treaties signed for Austria and Hungary, marking the end of the union between the two nations.

The Treaty of St. Germain imposed several restrictions on Austria. It was barred from compromising its newly formed independence, effectively prohibiting unification with Germany, which had been a long-standing goal of "Pan-Germanists" and Austrian-born Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party. Austria was also required to reduce its army to 30,000 men and pay reparations, although it went bankrupt before the rate could be set.

The establishment of the Republic of Austria marked a significant shift in the region's political landscape, as the country transitioned from a monarchy to a democratic form of government. The new republic faced the challenge of forging its own identity and establishing its place in the post-war world, navigating the complexities of its reduced territory, population, and economic resources.

Hungary lost 70% of its territory

The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was a significant political event that occurred due to several reasons, including the growth of internal social contradictions, the separation of Austrian and Hungarian interests, and the impact of World War I. As a result, the empire was dismantled, and its ancient monarchy exiled. The Treaty of Versailles played a crucial role in the fate of Austria-Hungary, with separate treaties signed for Austria and Hungary due to the termination of their union.

Hungary's loss of 70% of its territory was a significant outcome of the Treaty of Versailles. This loss included not only land but also a substantial portion of its population and natural resources. The Kingdom of Hungary was left shocked and considered this event one of the greatest tragedies in its history. The new borders resulted in the separation of millions of Hungarians from their motherland, with many finding themselves in neighbouring countries such as Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine, and Serbia. This loss of territory had a profound impact on the Hungarian society and economy, leading to political and social upheaval.

The reasons behind Hungary's significant territorial loss can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the Entente powers aimed to weaken Germany and destroy its potential allies in Europe, including the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. They intended to create a corridor around Germany to prevent future expansion. This resulted in the formation of Czechoslovakia, "Greater Romania," and Yugoslavia, which received vast territories previously belonging to Hungary.

Additionally, the defeat of the Central Powers in World War I played a significant role in Hungary's territorial losses. The country faced starvation, coal shortages, and the collapse of state institutions. The Károlyi government, formed after the Aster Revolution, quickly began disarmament to prevent civil war but failed to prevent the loss of territories.

It is important to note that the territories lost by Hungary were inhabited by a diverse population, with a significant number of non-Hungarians. However, these lands had been a part of the Kingdom of Hungary for a thousand years, and the loss of such a substantial portion of its territory left a lasting impact on the country.

The peace treaties signed after World War I, including the Treaty of Trianon, played a crucial role in redefining the national borders of Europe. The dissolution of Austria-Hungary allowed its subject nationalities to form their own nation-states, although most of these states became multi-ethnic entities. The Treaty of Trianon, signed on June 4, 1920, formally established the new borders of Hungary, resulting in a significant reduction in its land stake and population compared to the pre-war Kingdom.

Austria and Hungary were barred from unification

The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, after the conclusion of World War I. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was dissolved shortly after Hungary terminated its union with Austria in 1918. The two successor states, the Kingdom of Hungary and the First Austrian Republic, were treated as de jure successors to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Treaty of Versailles, therefore, did not apply to Austria and Hungary as a unified entity.

The Treaty of Versailles was geared towards punishing Germany for its role in the war. However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire also bore significant blame and was dismantled into its component parts. The ancient monarchy was exiled, and the economy was left in ruins. The empire was divided into two separate treaties: the Treaty of St. Germain, signed by Austria, and the Treaty of Trianon, signed by Hungary. These treaties formalised the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and established the new borders of Austria and Hungary, reducing them to small, landlocked states.

The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was a result of several factors, including the growth of internal social contradictions, the widening gap between Hungarian and Austrian interests, and the impact of World War I. The war placed additional stress on the empire, leading to economic crises, crop failure, starvation, and the rise of socialist and nationalist movements. Additionally, the Allies encouraged breakaway demands from minorities, further contributing to the empire's disintegration.

The termination of the union between Austria and Hungary was formalised through several key events. On 17 October 1918, the Hungarian Parliament voted to end the union with Austria. This was followed by the Aster Revolution on 31 October, during which Count Mihály Károlyi seized power and became the Hungarian Prime Minister. One of his first acts was to repudiate the compromise agreement, officially dissolving the union and the Austro-Hungarian state.

The separation of Austria and Hungary had significant political and economic impacts. The loss of territory, population, and natural resources disrupted the stability of both countries, leading to political unrest and the rise of extremist movements. Additionally, the new borders became economic barriers, hindering the economic growth that had previously been rapid within the empire.

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