Treaty of Trianon

Definition

The Treaty of Trianon was a peace agreement signed on June 4, 1920, between the Allies and Hungary, which formally ended World War I hostilities for Hungary. It significantly reduced Hungary's territory and population, resulting in the loss of approximately two-thirds of its land and about one-third of its population, reshaping the political landscape of Central Europe in the aftermath of the war.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The treaty was part of a series of agreements that were negotiated at the Paris Peace Conference following World War I.
2. Hungary lost significant territories to neighboring countries, including Transylvania to Romania, Slovakia to Czechoslovakia, and Vojvodina to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.
3. The Treaty of Trianon created a sense of national trauma in Hungary, contributing to revanchist sentiments that persisted throughout the interwar period.
4. It resulted in a significant Hungarian diaspora as many ethnic Hungarians found themselves outside the new borders established by the treaty.
5. The treaty was unpopular in Hungary and led to political instability, setting the stage for future authoritarian regimes and eventually contributing to Hungary's alliance with Nazi Germany during World War II.

Review Questions

• What were the main territorial changes imposed on Hungary by the Treaty of Trianon, and how did these changes affect Hungarian society?
  • The Treaty of Trianon imposed drastic territorial changes on Hungary, resulting in the loss of about two-thirds of its territory. This included significant regions such as Transylvania to Romania and parts of Slovakia to Czechoslovakia. These losses not only diminished Hungary's geographic size but also disrupted communities and separated many ethnic Hungarians from their homeland, leading to a fragmented society that grappled with issues of national identity and loss.
• Analyze how the Treaty of Trianon influenced Hungarian politics in the interwar period.
  • The Treaty of Trianon had profound implications for Hungarian politics during the interwar period. The sense of humiliation and national trauma caused by territorial losses fueled revanchism and nationalism among Hungarians. As a result, various political factions emerged that sought to reclaim lost territories or restore national pride. This environment contributed to political instability and paved the way for authoritarian regimes, ultimately aligning Hungary with fascist powers leading into World War II.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Treaty of Trianon on Central Europe’s geopolitical landscape.
  • The long-term consequences of the Treaty of Trianon significantly altered Central Europe's geopolitical landscape by redrawing borders based on ethnic lines rather than historical or cultural realities. This realignment created numerous minority populations within new states, sowing seeds for ethnic tensions and conflicts that would persist well into the 20th century. The grievances stemming from this treaty contributed to nationalist movements and unrest in Hungary and its neighbors, influencing regional dynamics leading up to World War II and beyond.

Related terms

Treaty of Versailles:

The Treaty of Versailles was the primary peace treaty that officially ended World War I in 1919, imposing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

Great Powers: The Great Powers were the major European countries that held significant military and economic influence during the early 20th century, including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and later the United States.

Redrawing of Borders: The process of altering national boundaries after World War I that aimed to reflect ethnic and national identities but often led to tensions and conflicts in Central and Eastern Europe.