Discuss the nature and impact of the treaties of St Germain and Trianon.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the two treaties and their consequences. In terms of nature, both treaties were confirming events that had already occurred with the collapse of Austria-Hungary in 1918. Both were punitive, they were imposed on the two new states that were treated as defeated powers. Reparations were imposed and both lost significant territory (Austria 60 % and Hungary 70 %). The consequences of both treaties were similar; both Austria and Hungary became revisionist, resenting loss of territory and arguing that the principle of self-determination had not been applied (Hungarians in Romania and Germans in the Sudetenland). Both republics were impoverished, the lost territories were economically important (for example Bohemia and Moravia). One significant consequence of St Germain was increased tensions between the Allied powers; Italy was furious at the limited territorial gains awarded to her by the treaty and called it the “mutilated victory”; Orlando left the peace conference. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions should be clearly stated and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the nature and impact of the treaties of St Germain and Trianon. Some good, detailed knowledge was seen in the responses to this question; however, comparatively few responses were seen to the question.