The treaty of Brest-Litovsk Flashcards
(9 cards)
What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
A harsh peace treaty imposed by Germany on Soviet Russia in 1918.
What were the territorial losses under the treaty?
Russia lost 30–40% of its pre-war population and about 1 million square miles of land.
Was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ever fully implemented?
No, it was never fully implemented.
Who was the Commissar for Foreign Affairs during the negotiations?
Leon Trotsky.
Why did Trotsky resign during the treaty negotiations?
He couldn’t bring himself to sign such a humiliating treaty.
Who ultimately forced the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
Lenin.
How did other Bolsheviks and political groups react to the treaty?
Almost everyone opposed it; it was devastating and widely unpopular.
Why did Lenin sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk despite its harsh terms?
Out of pragmatism—he feared Germany could resume war and overthrow the Bolsheviks.
What was one major consequence of signing the treaty?
It helped trigger the Russian Civil War, as many groups (SRs, Mensheviks, etc.) united against the Bolsheviks.
