We explain what the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was, which ended Russia’s participation in World War I. In addition, we explain its territorial clauses.
Delegations from Russia and the Central Powers met in Brest-Litovsk to negotiate peace.
What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty signed between Bolshevik Russia and the Central Powers on March 3, 1918, in the context of the First World War (1914-1918). It takes its name from the city of Brest-Litovsk (now Brest in Belarus), where it was signed.
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk It was one of the consequences of the October Revolution in Russia. which brought the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, to power in November 1917. The signing of the treaty ended hostilities between Russia (which until then had been part of the Entente along with the United Kingdom, France and Italy) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria).
The peace agreement in Brest-Litovsk It included the Russian cession of territories that came under the administration or influence of the Central Powers.such as Ukraine, Finland and some Baltic, Polish, Byelorussian and Transcaucasian territories. On 11 November 1918, when Germany signed the armistice with the Entente and ended the First World War, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was annulled.
Key points
- The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed on March 3, 1918 between Bolshevik Russia and the Central Powers in the context of the First World War (1914-1918).
- It was one of the first measures of Lenin’s government in Russia, who had come to power after the Bolshevik revolution in November 1917, and meant Russia’s exit from the First World War.
- The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk also entailed significant territorial losses for Russia, although the German defeat in the war on 11 November 1918 rendered the treaty void and the Bolshevik government was able to reconquer some territories.
The historical context
The First World War pitted the Allies or Entente (led by the United Kingdom, France, Italy and the Russian Empire) against the Central Powers (the German, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires, as well as the Kingdom of Serbia).
In March 1917 a revolution took place in Russia that overthrew Tsar Nicholas II. and established a provisional government. The provisional government decided to continue the war against the Central Powers, while broad social sectors, dissatisfied with the hardships caused by the conflict, demanded that peace be signed.
In November 1917 the Bolshevik Revolution took place. who established a communist regime in Russia and installed Lenin in the government. This Bolshevik leader was in favour of abandoning the war and signed the armistice with the Central Powers on 16 December 1917 with the aim of initiating peace negotiations.
What did the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk establish?
The negotiations between Bolshevik Russia and the Central Powers began on December 22, 1917 in Brest-Litovsk (now Brest in Belarus). The Russian government was charged with conducting the negotiations by Leon Trotsky, who held the post of People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs.
Trotsky tried to prolong the negotiations as long as possible.but pressure from the German government forced him to make a quick decision. The troops of Bolshevik Russia were disorganized (as a consequence of the revolution that had just broken out internally in Russia) and resuming the war was not a viable alternative.
Besides, Internally, Lenin had to confront the counterrevolutionary sectors that would form the White Army that fought against the Red Army in the Russian Civil War (1918-1921), so He finally ordered the acceptance of the harsh conditions imposed by Germany for the signing of peace.
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed on March 3, 1918.It was the first peace treaty of the First World War. In addition to marking the definitive end of hostilities between Russia and the Central Powers, the treaty included territorial clauses that were detrimental to the Russian government. This had to give up Ukraine, Finland and the Baltic, Polish, Byelorussian and Transcaucasian territories.
The German defeat in November 1918 annulled this treaty. and created a power vacuum in the former western fringe of what had been the Tsarist empire. Finally, The Bolsheviks managed to recover some of the territories those who had had to resign at Brest-Litovsk.
Ukraine was one of these reconquered lands. and in 1922 it became one of the socialist republics that formed the Soviet Union (USSR). However, Soviet Russia had to accept significant territorial losses and isolation in the international arena. It was not until 1934 that the Soviet Union was admitted to the League of Nations.
Follow with:
References
- Britannica, Encyclopaedia (2023). treaties of Brest-Litovsk. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/
- Fitzpatrick, S. (2005). The Russian Revolution. XXI century.
- Saborido, J. (2009). History of the Soviet Union. I started.
- Showalter, DE & Royde-Smith, JG (2023). World War I. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/
- Stone, N. (2013). A Brief History of World War I. Ariel.