First World War Peace Settlements, 1919 1925

The origins of many of the international crises of the late-20th-century can be traced to the peace settlements that were cobbled together after the Great War. Erik Goldstein's study covers the period - from the 1919 Versailles Treaty through to the Treaty of Locarno of 1925. The First World War peace settlements were the most complex rearrangement of the international system ever attempted. They are the starting point for many of today’s flashpoints, as well as the origins of the current international system. The emergence of ethnocentric states, disputed borders, arms control and international governance are just some of the issues facing the international system today that have their origins in the post First World War period. Erik Goldstein’s The First World War Peace Settlements covers the period from the end of the First World War through to the 1925 Locarno Pact, and focuses on events which occurred at the Paris Peace Conference, where the broad outlines of the postwar order were worked out. Areas covered include:The dramatic leap forward of international governance The principle of war crimes trials The establishment of a Permanent Court of International Justice The creation of an International Labour Organization Arms control Written in a clear and accessible manner, the book also contains maps, a glossary, chronology and documents section to provide students with an invaluable guide to the First World War Peace Settlements and their relevance to events in international relations today. Erik Goldstein is Professor of International Relations and Chairman of the Department of International Relations at Boston University. The First World War changed the face of Europe - two empires (the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire) collapsed in its wake and as a result many of the boundaries of Europe were redrawn and new states were created. The origins of many of the international crises in the late twentieth century can be traced back to decisions taken in these critical years, Yugoslavia being the most obvious example. An understanding of the peace settlements is thus crucial for any student studying international history/international relations, which is what this book offers. This book provides and accessible and concise introduction to this most important period of history.