The Treaty of Saint Germain: More Problems Than Solutions?

The Treaty of Saint Germain, signed in 1919, officially ended the state of war between the victorious Allies and Austria, the successor state to the defeated Austro-Hungarian Empire. While the treaty achieved some notable successes, such as formally dismantling the Habsburg Empire and recognizing the independence of new nation-states, it also created a host of new problems that contributed to the instability of interwar Europe. This essay will argue that the Treaty of Saint Germain, while achieving some positive outcomes, ultimately generated more problems than it solved.

Achievements of the Treaty

One cannot deny that the Treaty of Saint Germain achieved some significant successes. It formally registered the breakup of the Habsburg Empire, recognizing the independence of Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, and the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia). The treaty also ceded territories like eastern Galicia, Trento, southern Tirol, Trieste, and Istria. Plebiscites later determined the fate of southern Carinthia (awarded to Austria) and the town of Sopron (awarded to Hungary).

Furthermore, the treaty incorporated the Covenant of the League of Nations, signifying a commitment to international cooperation and collective security. It also expressly forbade the union of Austria with Germany without the consent of the League Council, aiming to prevent a resurgence of German power. Militarily, the treaty limited Austria's army to 30,000 men and dissolved the Austro-Hungarian navy, distributing its assets among the Allies.

Problems Created by the Treaty

Despite these achievements, the Treaty of Saint Germain suffered from significant flaws that ultimately outweighed its successes. Critically, the treaty failed to adequately address the complex ethnic makeup of the former Habsburg lands. Austrian officials protested the treaty's perceived violation of the principle of self-determination, as it placed a significant number of ethnic Germans under Czechoslovak and Italian rule. This disregard for ethnic boundaries created resentment and instability in the affected regions, fueling irredentist sentiments and hindering the development of national unity in the newly formed states.

The treaty also created a politically and economically vulnerable Austria. Forbidden from uniting with Germany, a move desired by many Austrians, the new republic was stripped of its industrial heartland and left financially crippled. This weakness was evident in Austria's 1923 bankruptcy, highlighting the new state's inability to function independently. The successor states, while gaining independence, inherited the economic challenges of the former empire. The breakup of the established infrastructure and trade networks hindered economic development and fueled resentment towards the treaty.

The arbitrary drawing of borders also created significant minority populations within the new states, leading to ethnic tensions and political instability. This lack of homogenous populations, coupled with the region's limited experience with democratic governance, created fertile ground for nationalist movements and authoritarian regimes to emerge in the following decades.

Conclusion

While the Treaty of Saint Germain succeeded in dismantling the Austro-Hungarian Empire and establishing new nation-states, its flaws ultimately outweighed its achievements. The treaty's disregard for ethnic considerations, creation of an economically and politically weak Austria, and contribution to regional instability ultimately made it a catalyst for future conflict. While intended to create a lasting peace, the Treaty of Saint Germain instead sowed the seeds of discontent and instability that would contribute to the outbreak of World War II. The consequences of these shortcomings demonstrate that the treaty, while achieving some of its aims, ultimately created more problems than it solved.