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The Effects of the Great War on Europe and the World |
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The League of Nations disbanded the German Empire, dividing her territories in Africa and Asia among the victorious Allies. Britain and France received the majority of African territory, although Belgium and South Africa also received small portions land. Germany's Asian territories were divided between Japan and the Allies. Japan was given less of Germany's colonies than expected and was therefore bitter towards the League of Nations. Germany was stripped of some of her European territory as well. Alsace-Lorraine, a parcel of fought-over land between Germany and France, was returned to France. The German-Polish border was moved west of Danzig, expanding Poland and placing Danzig under rule of the League of Nations. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was also divided by the League of Nations. A separate treaty for each half was signed, the Treaty of Germain with Austria and the Treaty of Trianon with Hungary. As well as paying for damages incurred during the war along with Germany, Austria and Hungary suffered from a drastically empire. The Slavic states that had formerly been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were given autonomy by the League of Nations, forming the new countries of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, as well as expanding Romanian and Italian territory. The Italians were not satisfied with the amount of territory added to their possession after the Treaties were signed. In 1915, Britain and France had promised Italy more land than Italy received in the end. The Treaty of Sevres imposed upon the Turkish Empire was particularly harsh as England used the Treaty as revenge for the horrible losses suffered during the naval battle at Gallipoli. The Turks were forced to withdraw almost entirely from the European continent. Asia Minor was occupied by Britain, France, and Greece. Britain and France also took control of the Turkish Arabian states, France taking Syria and Lebanon and Britain taking Iraq, Transjordan, and Palestine. Already in 1921 the Turks were preparing for revenge against Europe. The new countries of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were created out of the western side of the Russian Empire. The Bolshevik Revolution and the threat of communism struck fear in the hearts of the Allied leaders. These new states, along with expanded Poland, served as protection for Europe from communist Russia. Map of Europe - 1914 Map of Europe and Asia Minor - 1924 |
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© Julie |
