The Re-drawing of Some European Frontiers After the First World War (1920–1925) and the Temporary Allied Administration of Danzig (1920)

Abstract

The four treaties which brought the First World War to a formal end in Europe re-drew the political map on a truly heroic scale. Many changes were made to frontiers between existing states, some long-dead states were resurrected, and several new ones were created. To translate these pen and ink decisions into frontier lines on the ground, provision was made in each treaty for the establishment by the victorious powers of a number of delimitation commissions. However, detailed arrangements had to be made for the functioning of each of these bodies; it was necessary for them to report back to an organ representing the signatories to the peace treaty from which they derived their authority; and a means had to be found of dealing with the political issues which might well arise in the course of their activity.