Little Treaty of Versailles
Encyclopedia
Little Treaty of Versailles or the Polish Minority Treaty was one of the bilateral
Minority Treaties
signed between minor powers and the League of Nations
in the aftermath of the First World War. The Polish treaty was signed on 28 June 1919, the same day as the main Treaty of Versailles
was signed - hence one of its names. It was the first of the Minority Treaties, and served as the template for the subsequent ones; together with Articles 87-93 of Treaty of Versailles it also formally established Poland as a sovereign and independent state on the international arena.
(as the Second Polish Republic
) - after 123 years of partitions
- in the aftermath of the First World War. The victorious powers decided that due to significant non-Polish minorities on areas claimed by Poland (which historically controlled much of Lithuanian and Ruthenian territories - see Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
- and would likely inherit a substantial German minority within its new borders), and the ongoing civilian strife caused by the local wars (in particular the Polish-Ukrainian War
of 1918-1919 and Polish-Soviet War
of 1919-1920) it was one of the countries that should sign the minorities treaty; in fact it was a requirement for recognizing Polish independence and allowing Poland to sign the peace treaty with Germany (the Article 93 of the Treaty of Versailles
stated that: "Poland accepts ... provisions ... to protect the interests of inhabitants of Poland who differ from the majority of the population in race, language, or religion"). In addition, the treaty declared that Poland had to take over a part of debts of Russia
n state and grant a most favored nation clause in transit trade to "Allied and Associated States" (art. 14-18).
The treaty was signed by Polish representatives at Versailles (Roman Dmowski
, Ignacy Paderewski) on 28 June 1919, the same day as the main Treaty of Versailles
(hence it is known as Little or Small Treaty of Versailles. Polish parliament (Sejm
) ratified
the treaty on 31 July 1919; it was implemented on the 10 January 1920. Poland renounced it on the League of Nations' forum in Geneva on the 13 September 1934.
Bilateralism
Bilateralism consists of the political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. For example, free trade agreements signed by two states are examples of bilateral treaties. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which refers to the conduct of diplomacy by a...
Minority Treaties
Minority Treaties
Minority Treaties refer to the treaties, League of Nations Mandates, and unilateral declarations made by countries applying for membership in the League of Nations and United Nations...
signed between minor powers and the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
in the aftermath of the First World War. The Polish treaty was signed on 28 June 1919, the same day as the main Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties at the end of World War I. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. It was signed on 28 June 1919, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The other Central Powers on the German side of...
was signed - hence one of its names. It was the first of the Minority Treaties, and served as the template for the subsequent ones; together with Articles 87-93 of Treaty of Versailles it also formally established Poland as a sovereign and independent state on the international arena.
Background
Poland regained independenceIndependence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
(as the Second Polish Republic
Second Polish Republic
The Second Polish Republic, Second Commonwealth of Poland or interwar Poland refers to Poland between the two world wars; a period in Polish history in which Poland was restored as an independent state. Officially known as the Republic of Poland or the Commonwealth of Poland , the Polish state was...
) - after 123 years of partitions
Partitions of Poland
The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, resulting in the elimination of sovereign Poland for 123 years...
- in the aftermath of the First World War. The victorious powers decided that due to significant non-Polish minorities on areas claimed by Poland (which historically controlled much of Lithuanian and Ruthenian territories - see Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
- and would likely inherit a substantial German minority within its new borders), and the ongoing civilian strife caused by the local wars (in particular the Polish-Ukrainian War
Polish-Ukrainian War
The Polish–Ukrainian War of 1918 and 1919 was a conflict between the forces of the Second Polish Republic and West Ukrainian People's Republic for the control over Eastern Galicia after the dissolution of Austria-Hungary.-Background:...
of 1918-1919 and Polish-Soviet War
Polish-Soviet War
The Polish–Soviet War was an armed conflict between Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine and the Second Polish Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic—four states in post–World War I Europe...
of 1919-1920) it was one of the countries that should sign the minorities treaty; in fact it was a requirement for recognizing Polish independence and allowing Poland to sign the peace treaty with Germany (the Article 93 of the Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties at the end of World War I. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. It was signed on 28 June 1919, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The other Central Powers on the German side of...
stated that: "Poland accepts ... provisions ... to protect the interests of inhabitants of Poland who differ from the majority of the population in race, language, or religion"). In addition, the treaty declared that Poland had to take over a part of debts of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n state and grant a most favored nation clause in transit trade to "Allied and Associated States" (art. 14-18).
The treaty
According to the treaty Polish government declared its support for "total and complete protection of life and freedom of all people regardless of their birth, nationality, language, race or religion" (art. 2) and religious tolerance (art. 7 which stated that "difference of religion, creed, or confession shall not prejudice any Polish national in matters relating to the enjoyment of civil or political rights, as for instance the admission to Public employment, functions and honors, or the exercise of professions and industries"). Provisions of the treaty "were obligations of international importance and were guaranteed by the League of Nations". They could not be changed "without consent of majority of the League of Nations Council" (art. 12). National minorities could direct their complaints to the League of Nations Council. Difference of opinions "in legal or actual matters" between Poland and any of the western powers or any of the members of the League of Nations Council, which would result from provisions of the treaty was to have an international character (art. 12).The treaty was signed by Polish representatives at Versailles (Roman Dmowski
Roman Dmowski
Roman Stanisław Dmowski was a Polish politician, statesman, and chief ideologue and co-founder of the National Democracy political movement, which was one of the strongest political camps of interwar Poland.Though a controversial personality throughout his life, Dmowski was instrumental in...
, Ignacy Paderewski) on 28 June 1919, the same day as the main Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties at the end of World War I. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. It was signed on 28 June 1919, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The other Central Powers on the German side of...
(hence it is known as Little or Small Treaty of Versailles. Polish parliament (Sejm
Sejm
The Sejm is the lower house of the Polish parliament. The Sejm is made up of 460 deputies, or Poseł in Polish . It is elected by universal ballot and is presided over by a speaker called the Marshal of the Sejm ....
) ratified
Ratification
Ratification is a principal's approval of an act of its agent where the agent lacked authority to legally bind the principal. The term applies to private contract law, international treaties, and constitutionals in federations such as the United States and Canada.- Private law :In contract law, the...
the treaty on 31 July 1919; it was implemented on the 10 January 1920. Poland renounced it on the League of Nations' forum in Geneva on the 13 September 1934.