Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Brest Fortress, Brest (then Brest-Litovsk), Belarus
What happened
Soviet Russia, represented by Grigori Sokolnikov, and the Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire. Russia's new Bolshevik government, led by Lenin, wanted to leave the First World War. Its delegates signed a separate peace with the Central Powers at the fortress of Brest-Litovsk. Russia gave up control of Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and recognised Finland's independence.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Russia lost lands holding about a third of its people and much of its industry and coal. The treaty also freed German troops to fight on the Western Front.
What came next
The Armistice of 11 November 1918 cancelled the treaty, and the Soviet government annulled it two days later. In 1922 Germany accepted this in the Treaty of Rapallo.
Did you know?
Lenin had threatened to resign if his party's Central Committee refused to sign.
Timeline
- 3 March 1918The treaty is signed at Brest-Litovsk.
- August 1918An extra protocol adds a payment to Germany.
- 11 November 1918The Armistice annuls the treaty.
- 13 November 1918The Soviet government formally annuls it.
- April 1922Germany accepts the cancellation in the Treaty of Rapallo.