The peace treaties that emerged from World War I, particularly the Treaty of Versailles with Germany and others like the Treaty of Saint-Germain with Austria and the Treaty of Trianon with Hungary, were indeed a mixed bag in terms of their success and impact. Here’s how they affected the division of Europe into states that sought revision of the settlement versus those that sought to preserve it:

1.Treaties and National Aspirations:

The treaties aimed to redraw the map of Europe based on national self-determination, a principle championed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. This meant creating new nation-states or granting independence to various ethnic groups that were previously part of multi-national empires like the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire.

2.Creation of New States:

The treaties led to the creation of new states such as Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, which were formed by combining different ethnic groups under one political umbrella. Poland regained independence after being partitioned for over a century. These new states generally accepted the territorial and political boundaries imposed by the treaties.

3.Desire for Revision:

On the other hand, the treaties imposed harsh penalties on defeated powers like Germany and Hungary, including loss of territories, reparations payments, and military restrictions. These provisions were seen as punitive by the affected states and stirred resentment. Germany, in particular, felt humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles, which led to political instability and provided fertile ground for revisionist sentiments.

4.Dividing Europe:

The treaties divided Europe into states that were content with the settlement and those that were discontent and sought revision. States like France and Belgium, which had suffered greatly during the war and had territorial claims satisfied by the treaties, were generally supportive of maintaining the status quo. They viewed the treaties as necessary for security and stability.

5.Revisionist States:

On the other hand, Germany, Hungary, and later Italy felt aggrieved by the terms of the treaties. They sought to revise the treaties to regain lost territories, overturn punitive measures, and restore their international standing. This led to revisionist policies and nationalist movements within these countries, often challenging the post-war order and seeking to undo what they saw as unjust impositions.

6.Impact on International Relations:

The discontent and desire for revision contributed to tensions in Europe during the interwar period. It undermined the stability established by the treaties and contributed to the rise of aggressive nationalism and expansionist policies, particularly evident in Germany under Adolf Hitler and Italy under Benito Mussolini.

In conclusion, while the peace treaties after World War I aimed to establish a new, more stable order in Europe based on national self-determination, they simultaneously created a divide between states willing to preserve the settlement and those seeking to revise it. This division fueled political tensions and played a significant role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of Europe leading up to World War II.