Ruqayyah Snyder
After World War I, the victorious Western powers imposed a series of treaties on the defeated Central Powers, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Turkey, and Bulgaria. The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, signed on September 10, 1919, established the Republic of Austria and imposed significant territorial changes and reparations. This treaty formally dissolved the Austro-Hungarian Empire and forced Austria to cede lands to newly established states, drastically reducing its territory and resources. The treaty also included provisions barring Austria from compromising its independence, effectively preventing unification with Germany.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 10 September 1919 |
| Treaty Name | Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye |
| Signatories | Republic of German-Austria, Allies of World War I |
| Territory Lost | South Tyrol, Trentino, Trieste, Istria, Bukovina, crown lands to Czechoslovakia, Poland, Yugoslavia |
| Population Lost | 60% of its former population |
| Reparations | Large sums of money to the Allies |
| Other | Barred Austria from compromising its newly formed independence |
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What You'll Learn
The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
One of the most notable aspects of the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye was its recognition of the breakup of the Habsburg Empire, also known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This dissolution resulted in the establishment of several new independent nations, including Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, and the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which was later known as Yugoslavia. The treaty also addressed territorial changes, with the Austrian Empire ceding crown lands and territories to these newly established states. For instance, it relinquished the South Tyrol, Trieste, Trentino, and Istria to Italy, and Bukovina to Romania.
Additionally, the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye expressly forbade the union of Austria with Germany, a goal long sought by "Pan-Germanists" and advocated by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist (Nazi) Party. This restriction was a significant point of contention, as many in Austria and Germany favoured unification. The treaty also included the Covenant of the League of Nations, underscoring its international scope and implications.
The terms of the treaty had far-reaching consequences for Austria, leaving it in a financially and militarily weakened state. This vulnerability contributed to instability in Europe during the interwar period. Furthermore, the treaty's violation of the principle of self-determination and the placement of ethnic Germans under Czechoslovak and Italian rule were sources of protest from Austrian officials. Overall, the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye was a pivotal agreement that not only reshaped the map of Europe but also set the stage for ongoing tensions and political dynamics in the region.
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Austria's independence
The idea of a union between Austria and Germany, known as "Anschluss," gained support in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and center. In July 1936, facing economic pressure from a German boycott, Austrian leader Schuschnigg signed an agreement with Germany, recognizing Austria as a German state and committing to follow Germany's lead in foreign policy. However, this agreement did not satisfy Hitler, and the push for Anschluss continued.
During World War II, Austria was considered part of Nazi Germany, and its independence was compromised. However, in 1943, the Allies agreed in the Declaration of Moscow that Austria would be regarded as the first victim of Nazi aggression and treated as a liberated and independent country after the war. After World War II, a Provisional Austrian Government was established, and on April 27, 1945, it cancelled the Anschluss, restoring Austria's independence from Germany.
The Austrian State Treaty of 1955 finally re-established Austria as a fully independent and sovereign state. Negotiations with the Soviet Union and the Western Allies, particularly after the death of Joseph Stalin, led to Austria's promise of perpetual neutrality. The last occupation troops left Austria on October 25, 1955, and the country's independence was celebrated with a national holiday. This treaty secured Austria's independence and neutrality, marking a significant milestone in the country's history.
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War reparations
After World War I, the victorious Western powers imposed a series of harsh treaties on the defeated nations. These treaties stripped the Central Powers—Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Turkey, and Bulgaria—of substantial territories and imposed significant war reparations.
The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, signed on September 10, 1919, established the Republic of Austria and imposed specific reparations on the country. The treaty officially recognised the breakup of the Habsburg Empire, acknowledging the independence of Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, and the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia). Austria was forced to cede crown lands to these newly established successor states and relinquish other territories to Italy and Romania. The treaty also expressly forbade the union of Austria with Germany, a goal long desired by "Pan-Germanists" and Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party. This restriction was reiterated in the 1919 Treaty of Versailles and the 1990 Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany.
The exact payment amounts for war reparations were not specified in the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, but the loss of substantial territories and the financial and military weakness imposed on Austria by the treaty left the country in a state of chronic instability between the two World Wars.
Austria regained its independence after World War II with the Austrian State Treaty of 1955, which ended the Allied occupation and affirmed Austrian neutrality. This treaty, negotiated with the Soviet Union after Joseph Stalin's death, secured Austrian promises of perpetual neutrality in exchange for full independence. The last occupation troops left Austria on October 25, 1955, and Austrian neutrality was declared by parliament on October 26, 1955.
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Loss of territory
After World War I, the victorious western powers imposed a series of harsh treaties on the defeated Central Powers, which included Germany and Austria-Hungary. These treaties stripped the Central Powers of substantial territories.
Austria signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, or the Treaty of Saint Germain, on September 10, 1919, near Paris, which came into force on July 16, 1920. The treaty established the Republic of Austria, consisting of most of the truncated German-speaking regions of the former Habsburg state. However, it also resulted in significant losses of territory for Austria.
The Austrian Empire ceded crown lands to newly established successor states, including Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the Kingdom of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs, which was renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. Austria also relinquished the South Tyrol, Trieste, Trentino, and Istria to Italy and Bukovina to Romania. Overall, the Republic of Austria was forced to accept the independence of over 60% of its former territory.
The Treaty of Saint-Germain also forbade the union of Austria with Germany, a goal long desired by "Pan-Germanists" and an active aim of Austrian-born Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist (Nazi) Party. This restriction was reiterated in the 1990 Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, which covered existing borders in general terms.
The loss of territory for Austria had significant consequences and created a sense of chronic instability in Europe between the two World Wars. The Austrian State Treaty of 1955 eventually re-established Austria as a fully independent and sovereign state, with the last occupation troops leaving on October 25, 1955.
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Austria's role in starting the war
The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, signed on September 10, 1919, established the Republic of Austria, consisting of most of the truncated German-speaking regions of the former Habsburg state. Austria also signed the Austrian State Treaty in 1955, which led to the departure of the last Allied occupation troops and the restoration of Austrian independence.
Austria-Hungary was one of the main players in the events leading up to World War I. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife, Sophie, in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, was the immediate catalyst for the war. Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist and member of the Black Hand organisation, carried out the assassination. Austrian authorities blamed Serbia for the murder, and this accusation set off a chain of events that led to the war.
Austria-Hungary, along with Germany, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire, formed the Central Powers. On August 6, 1914, Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary signed a declaration of war on Russia, which had mobilised in support of Serbia. Italy, which had an alliance with Austria-Hungary, initially remained neutral but later joined the Entente powers in 1915.
Austria-Hungary played a relatively passive diplomatic role in the war, dominated by its German ally. The Austro-Hungarian Empire's primary objectives were to punish Serbia and prevent the ethnic breakup of the Empire, but it failed in both regards. The Empire suffered heavy losses, with about 1 million men killed or wounded, and its army was left alone on the battlefields as nationalist movements within the Empire gained momentum and pressed for independence.
The Italian front saw intense fighting between Austria-Hungary and Italy, with both sides suffering tremendous casualties in the Battles of the Isonzo. Despite achieving victories, such as the Battle of Caporetto, the Austro-Hungarian Empire continued to disintegrate, and by late 1916, the new Emperor Karl sought peace overtures with the Allies. The Armistice of November 11, 1918, ended World War I, with Austria-Hungary accepting defeat.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye on September 10, 1919.
The treaty formally dissolved the Austro-Hungarian Empire and established the Republic of Austria. It also forced Austria to recognise the independence of over 60% of its former territories, including Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Poland. Additionally, the treaty barred Austria from compromising its newly formed independence, effectively preventing unification with Germany.
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, was the first and most significant treaty signed with the Central Powers after WWI. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including loss of territory, reparations, and demilitarisation. The Treaty of Trianon, signed on June 4, 1920, pertained to Hungary, which lost a significant portion of its territory to Romania, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. The Treaty of Sèvres, signed in August 1920, was between the Allies and the former Ottoman Empire, and was superseded by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, which recognised the new nation of Turkey.
The Austrian State Treaty, also known as the Austrian Independence Treaty, was signed on May 15, 1955, in Vienna. This treaty re-established a free, sovereign, and democratic Austria, with promises of perpetual neutrality.
