We explain what the Brest-Litovsk treaty was that ended Russia's participation in World War I. In addition, its territorial clauses.
What was the Brest-Litovsk treaty?
The Brest-Litovsk Treaty was A peace treaty signed between the Bolshevik Russia and the central empires on March 3, 1918, in the context of World War I (1914-1918). Take its name from the city of Brest-Litovsk (current Brest in Belarus), where it was signed.
The Brest-Litovsk Treaty It was one of the consequences of the October revolution in Russia That, in November 1917, he brought to the Bolsheviks to power, led by Lenin. The signing of the treaty ended the hostilities between Russia (which until then had been part of the entente with the United Kingdom, France and Italy) and the central empires (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria).
The peace agreed in Brest-Litovsk included the Russian assignment of territories that remained under the administration or influence of the central empires such as Ukraine, Finland and some Baltic, Poles, Belarusian and Transcauca territories. On November 11, 1918, when Germany signed the armistice with the entente and ended the First World War, the Brest-Litovsk treaty was canceled.
Key points
- The Brest-Litovsk treaty was signed on March 3, 1918 between the Bolshevik Russia and the central empires in the context of World War I (1914-1918).
- It was one of the first measures of the Government of Lenin in Russia, who had come to power after the Bolshevik Revolution of November 1917, and meant the departure of Russia from the First World War.
- The Brest-Litovsk Treaty also implied important territorial losses for Russia, although German defeat in the war on November 11, 1918 left the Bolshevik government without effect could reconquer some territories
- See also: World War I alliances
The historical context
World War I faced allies or entering (headed by the United Kingdom, France, Italy and the Russian Empire) with the central empires (the German, Austrohungal and Ottoman empires, in addition to the kingdom of Serbia).
In March 1917 there was a revolution in Russia that overthrew Tsar Nicolás II and established a provisional government. The provisional government decided to continue the war against the central empires, while broad social sectors, unhappy with the hardships caused by the conflict, demanded that peace be signed.
In November 1917 there was the Bolshevik Revolution who established a communist regime in Russia and He installed Lenin in the government. This Bolshevik leader was in favor of abandoning the war and signed the armistice with the central empires on December 16, 1917 with the aim of initiating peace negotiations.
- See also: History of the Soviet Union
What established the Brest-Litovsk treaty?
The negotiations Between the Bolshevik Russia and the central empires began on December 22, 1917 In Brest-Litovsk (current Brest in Belarus). The person in charge of conducting the negotiations from the Russian government was Leon Trotsky, who held the position of Commissioner of the People for Foreign Affairs.
Trotsky tried to prolong as possible the negotiations but the German government pressure forced him to make a prompt decision. The Bolshevik Russian troops were disorganized (as a consequence of the revolution that had just been unleashed internally in Russia) and resuming war was not a viable alternative.
Besides, Internally Lenin had to meet the counterrevolutionary sectors that would make up the white army that fought against the Red Army in the Russian Civil War (1918-1921), so Finally, he ordered the acceptance of the harsh conditions imposed by Germany for the signing of La Paz .
The Brest-Litovsk Treaty was signed on March 3, 1918 . It was the first Peace Treaty of the First World War. In addition to marking the final completion of hostilities between Russia and the central empires, the treaty It included territorial clauses that harmed the Russian government. This He had to renounce Ukraine, Finland and Baltic, Poles, Belarusian and Transcaucásic territories.
German defeat in November 1918 annulled this treaty and created a situation of power vacuum in the old western strip of what had been the Tsarist Empire. Finally, The Bolsheviks managed to recover some of the territories to those who had to give up in Brest-Litovsk.
Ukraine was one of these reconquered lands And, in 1922, it became one of the socialist republics that integrated the Soviet Union (USSR). However, the Soviet Russia had to accept important territorial losses and isolation in the international concert. Only in 1934 the Soviet Union was admitted in the Nations Society.
- World War I peace treaties
- Political leaders during World War
References
- Britannica, Encyclopaedia (2023). Treaties of Brest-Litovsk. Britannica Encyclopedia. https://www.britannica.com/
- Fitzpatrick, S. (2005). The Russian revolution. 21st century.
- Saborido, J. (2009). History of the Soviet Union. I emecé.
- Showalter, from & Royde-Smith, JG (2023). World War I. Britannica Encyclopedia. https://www.britannica.com/
- Stone, N. (2013). Brief History of World War I. Ariel.
