Lenin called the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk "obscene", although he was a supporter of its signing. Trotsky compared his visit to Brest-Litovsk to a visit to a torture chamber.

Paradoxically, the treaty, which meant for Russia a way out of the war, became one of the most shameful and controversial pages in the history of the country.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

In 1918, a separate peace was signed between the RSFSR and the Quadruple Union.

For reference: a separate peace is a peace treaty with the enemy, signed by a member state of the military coalition without the consent of the allies.

In World War II, Russia was on the side of the Entente. But, after a few years, the country was already exhausted. Even under the Provisional Government, it became obvious that Russia would not be able to continue the war any longer.

In 1917, the Bolsheviks came to power. Their position was simple: "a world without annexations and indemnities." This slogan became the main thesis of the Decree on Peace. The authorities demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities.

It is worth noting: in November, negotiations were held on a truce with Russia's former adversaries - the Quadruple Alliance. The Entente countries ignored the invitation.

Stage one: start of negotiations

The table shows who led the delegations from the countries participating in the negotiations.

Negotiations began on 9 December. The Bolsheviks, based on the principles of the "Decree on Peace", put forward their position: the rejection of annexations and indemnities and the self-determination of peoples up to secession (by free referendum). Of course, Germany was not going to accept such conditions.

The German side stated that it would accept the conditions if the Entente countries also take such a step. The Bolsheviks initiated a 10-day break in hopes of persuading Russia's former allies to join the talks.

Soon the Germans put forward their understanding of the self-determination of peoples. Poland, Lithuania and Courland have already "self-determined" and declared their "independence", and now they can freely join Germany, which was not regarded as an annexation. In other words, the German side did not renounce its territorial claims.

The Soviet side proposed a compromise option for the exchange of territories. The German side did not accept this proposal. The Russian delegation left for Petrograd the next day.

On December 22, a delegation from the Central Rada arrived with the intention of negotiating separately from the RSFSR. Three days later, the Russian delegation returned, but already led by Trotsky himself. His goal is to delay negotiations.

Worth considering: The Central Rada is a Ukrainian political body. He was elected legally, but at the time of the negotiations, he no longer controlled almost the entire territory of Ukraine - the Bolsheviks occupied it.

Second stage: "no peace, no war"

On December 27, the Germans openly declared that they rejected the principle of "no annexations and indemnities", since the Entente did not accept it.

The head of the CR delegation expressed his position. They will negotiate separately from the RSFSR. The Central Powers put forward conditions: Germany and Austria-Hungary did not give up the territories they occupied. The Bolsheviks asked for a break for 10 days.

Lev Davidovich Trotsky (1879-1940) - one of the organizers October revolution 1917, one of the creators of the Red Army. In the first Soviet government - People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs, then in 1918-1925 - People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs and Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council of the RSFSR.

In Petrograd, this course of events provoked an aggravation of the intra-Party struggle. In the end, Trotsky's vague position of "no peace, no war" won out.

Third stage: ultimatum

On January 17, together with Trotsky, a delegation from Soviet Ukraine arrived for the talks. The German side did not recognize her.

January 27 is a turning point in the negotiations. The Central Powers and the CR made peace. Ukraine passed under the protectorate of Germany.

Wilhelm II (Friedrich Wilhelm Victor Albert of Prussia (1859-1941) - the last German emperor and king of Prussia from June 15, 1888 to November 9, 1918. Wilhelm's reign was marked by the strengthening of Germany's role as a world industrial, military and colonial power.

Wilhelm II put forward an ultimatum to the Soviet side - the border along the Narva-Pskov-Dvinsk line.

The next day, Trotsky surprised Germany and her allies with his statement: cessation of hostilities, demobilization, while refusing to sign peace. The delegation left the negotiations. What happened, Germany would later take advantage of.

January 31 The CR asks its German allies for help against the Bolsheviks. On February 18, the truce ends.

Russia no longer had an army as such, and the Bolsheviks could not resist the offensive. The Germans advanced quickly and captured Minsk on 21 February. It was a real threat to Petrograd.

The Soviet side was forced to ask for peace. On February 22, the Germans put forward a tougher ultimatum, according to which Russia abandoned vast territories.

The Bolsheviks agreed to such conditions. On March 3, 1918, peace was signed. March 16 - final ratification.

What were the conditions of the Brest peace

Lenin admitted that such a world is "obscene". Germany's demands were tough, but Russia did not have the opportunity to fight. The position of the Germans allowed them to dictate any conditions.

Briefly about the main provisions of the Brest peace:

• liberate the Baltic lands;
• withdraw troops from Ukraine, recognize the UNR;
• liberate the Kars and Batumi regions;
• withdraw troops from the Ottoman Empire.

The text included other provisions:

• demobilization of the army;
• disarmament of the Black Sea Fleet;
• the cessation of propaganda on the territory of the Central Powers;
• payment of indemnities.

Russia was finally left without an army (imperial) and lost territories.

Position of Lenin, Trotsky and Bukharin

Petrograd did not have an unequivocal position on a separate peace. Lenin insisted on signing an agreement, albeit unfavorable. However, the left communists, led by Bukharin, were categorically against any peace with imperialism.

When it became obvious that Germany would not renounce annexations, Trotsky's compromise position was taken as the basis. He was against military action, but he counted on an early revolution in Germany, which would save the Bolsheviks from having to agree to unfavorable conditions for them.

Lenin insisted that it was Trotsky who led the delegation. But with the condition: delay until the ultimatum, then surrender. However, the delegates rejected the ultimatum, and this became a formal reason for the Central Powers to reopen the Eastern Front.

The German army advanced rapidly, and Lenin insisted on accepting any conditions of the opponents.

The question arises: why did Lenin call the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk shameful, but insisted on signing it further? The answer is simple - the leader of the revolution was afraid of losing power. Without an army, Russia could not resist the Germans.

The position of the left had more supporters, and only the intervention of Trotsky saved Lenin from failure. As a result, the Bolsheviks signed the treaty.

Reasons and prerequisites for the signing of the Brest Peace

Was there really any reason to negotiate with the clearly losing war Central Powers? And why did Germany need it?

The Bolsheviks came under the slogan of ending the war. BUT the country really could not fight(It is worth noting that the policy of the Bolsheviks contributed to the fact that Russia was left without an army).

Initially, Lenin counted on a general peace without annexations, and not on an unfavorable treaty with Germany, which had almost lost the war.

Since the beginning of the war, the Germans were interested in closing the Eastern Front. Germany and Austria-Hungary were starving and urgently needed food supplies. No wonder it was the agreement with the UCR that became a turning point in the course of negotiations.

Russia's withdrawal from the First World War

The signing of a separate peace meant that Russia withdrew from the war. This event had its pros and cons, but it can not be called a victory.

On the one hand, the war still stopped. On the other hand, Russia has lost most of its territory and population.

The country also could not take advantage of the victory of the Entente. England and France did not accept the Bolshevik regime, and the treaty with Germany all the more deprived the country of the right to reparations.

The conclusion of the Brest Peace

On March 1, the Russian delegation arrived in Brest-Litovsk (the German offensive was still ongoing).

Trotsky did not want to sign the shameful document. His views were shared by other Bolsheviks.

Who signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk on behalf of Russia? Grigory Sokolnikov, who at first also refused to be the chairman of the delegation.

The Soviet side immediately declared that the country was accepting the conditions of its opponents, but would not enter into a discussion. The German side objected that they could either accept Germany's conditions or continue the war.

On March 3, 1918, the famous Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was concluded. This happened in the White Palace of the Brest-Litovsk Fortress.

The document consisted of 14 articles, 5 annexes (including new card borders of Russia) and additional agreements.

Outcomes, meaning and results

The separate peace was a heavy blow for Russia.

However, Germany lost the war, and one of the conditions for a truce with the Entente was the annulment of the Brest Treaty. On November 13, the agreement was also canceled by the decision of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee.

Brest peace before today receives mixed reviews from historians. Some consider it a betrayal, others a necessity. In general, modern estimates come down to one thing: the negotiations were the debut of the Bolsheviks in the international arena, but such a debut ended in failure.

Of course, the consequences were not so catastrophic for the new government: they still managed to return the lands, but it took time. And peace with the Central Powers will be used as proof of Lenin's sponsorship by the Germans for a long time to come.

Since Russia on the one hand and Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey on the other agreed to end the state of war and end the peace negotiations as soon as possible, they were appointed plenipotentiaries:

For the Russian Federative Soviet Republic:

Grigory Yakovlevich Sokolnikov, member of the Center. Performed Committee Owls. Worker, Soldier and Peasants. deputies,

Lev Mikhailovich Karakhan, member of the Center. Performed Committee of Soviets Workers., Sold. and Peasant Deputies,

Georgy Vasilyevich Chicherin, Assistant to the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs and

Grigory Ivanovich Petrovsky, People's Commissar for Internal Affairs.

From the Imperial German Government: State Secretary of the Office of Foreign Affairs, Imperial Actual Privy Councilor Richard von Kühlmann,

Imperial Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary, Dr. von Rosenberg,

Royal Prussian Major General Hoffmann, Chief of the General Staff of the Supreme Commander on the Eastern Front, and

captain 1st rank Gorn,

From the Imperial and Royal General Austro-Hungarian Government:

Minister of the Imperial and Royal Household and Foreign Affairs, His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty Privy Councilor Ottokar Count Czernin von i zu-Khudenitz, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty Privy Councilor Mr. Cajetan Merey von Kapos Mere, General of the Infantry His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty Privy Councilor Maximilian Cicerich von Bachani.

From the Royal Bulgarian Government:

Royal Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Vienna, Andrey Toshev, Colonel of the General Staff, Royal Bulgarian Military Plenipotentiary to His Majesty the German Emperor and Aide-de-Camp of His Majesty the King of Bolgars, Petr Ganchev, Royal Bulgarian First Secretary of the Mission, Dr. Theodore Anastasov,

From the Imperial Ottoman Government:

His Highness Ibrahim Hakki Pasha, Former Grand Vizier, Member of the Ottoman Senate, Ambassador Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Sultan in Berlin, His Excellency General of the Cavalry, Adjutant General of His Majesty the Sultan and Military Commissioner of His Majesty the Sultan to His Majesty the German Emperor, Zeki Pasha.

The plenipotentiaries met at Brest-Litovsk for peace talks, and after presenting their credentials, found to be in correct and proper form, came to an agreement on the following decrees.

Article I

Russia, on the one hand, and Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey, on the other, declare that the state of war between them has ended; they decided to continue to live among themselves in peace and friendship.

Article II

The contracting parties will refrain from any agitation or propaganda against the government or state and military establishments of the other side. Since this obligation concerns Russia, it also extends to the areas occupied by the powers of the quadruple alliance.

Article III.

The areas lying to the west of the line established by the contracting parties and belonging to before Russia will no longer be under her sovereignty; the established line is indicated on the attached map (Annex I), which is an essential part of this peace treaty. Precise definition this line will be worked out by the Russian-German commission.

For the aforementioned regions, their former belonging to Russia will not entail any obligations in relation to Russia.

Russia refuses any interference in the internal affairs of these regions. Germany and Austria-Hungary intend to determine the future fate of these areas by demolition with their population.

Article IV

Germany is ready, as soon as a general peace is concluded and a completely Russian demobilization is carried out, to clear the territory lying to the east of that indicated in paragraph 1 of Art. III line, insofar as Article VI does not provide otherwise. Russia will do everything in its power to ensure the speedy clearance of the Eastern Anatolia provinces and their orderly return to Turkey.

The districts of Ardagan, Kars and Batum are also immediately cleared of Russian troops. Russia will not interfere in new organization state-legal and international legal relations of these districts, but will allow the population of these districts to establish a new system in agreement with neighboring states, especially Turkey.

Article V

Russia will immediately carry out the complete demobilization of its army, including the military units newly formed by the current government.

In addition, Russia will either transfer its warships to Russian ports and leave there until the conclusion of a general peace, or immediately disarm. The military courts of states that are still at war with the powers of the quadruple alliance, since these ships are in the sphere of Russian power, are equated with Russian military courts.

The restricted zone in the Arctic Ocean remains in force until the conclusion of a universal peace. In the Baltic Sea and in the parts of the Black Sea subject to Russia, the removal of minefields must begin immediately. Merchant shipping in these maritime regions is free and immediately resumed. In order to work out more precise regulations, in particular for the publication to the public of safe routes for merchant ships, mixed commissions will be created. Navigation routes must be kept clear of floating mines at all times.

Article VI

Russia undertakes to immediately conclude peace with the Ukrainian People's Republic and recognize the peace treaty between this state and the powers of the quadruple alliance. The territory of Ukraine is immediately cleared of Russian troops and the Russian Red Guard. Russia ceases all agitation or propaganda against the government or public institutions of the Ukrainian People's Republic.

Estonia and Livonia are also immediately cleared of Russian troops and the Russian Red Guard. The eastern border of Estonia runs generally along the Narva River. The eastern border of Livonia generally runs through Lake Peipus and Lake Pskov to its southwestern corner, then through Lake Luban in the direction of Livenhof on the Western Dvina. Estland and Livonia will be occupied by the German police authorities until public security is ensured there by the country's own institutions and until state order is established there. Russia will immediately release all arrested or taken away inhabitants of Estonia and Livonia and ensure the safe return of all taken away Estonians and Livonians.

Finland and the Åland Islands will also be immediately cleared of Russian troops and the Russian Red Guard, and Finnish ports of the Russian fleet and Russian naval forces. As long as the ice makes it impossible to transfer warships to Russian ports, only insignificant crews should be left on them. Russia stops all agitation or propaganda against the Finnish government or public institutions.

The fortifications erected on the Åland Islands must be demolished as soon as possible. With regard to the prohibition to continue to erect fortifications on these islands, as well as their general provisions regarding military and navigation technology, a special agreement must be concluded regarding them between Germany, Finland, Russia and Sweden; The parties agree that, at the request of Germany, other states adjacent to the Baltic Sea may also be involved in this agreement.

Article VII.

Based on the fact that Persia and Afghanistan are free and independent states, the contracting parties undertake to respect the political and economic independence and territorial integrity of Persia and Afghanistan.

Article VIII.

The prisoners of war of both sides will be released to their homeland. The settlement of related issues will be the subject of special agreements provided for in Art. XII.

Article IX.

The contracting parties mutually renounce the reimbursement of their military expenses, i.e., state expenses for the conduct of the war, as well as compensation for military losses, i.e., those losses that were inflicted on them and their citizens in the zone of military operations by military measures, in including all requisitions made in the enemy country.

Article X

Diplomatic and consular relations between the contracting parties will resume immediately after the ratification of the peace treaty. Regarding the admission of consuls, both parties reserve the right to enter into special agreements.

Article XI

Economic relations between Russia and the powers of the quadruple alliance are determined by the decrees contained in appendices 2-5, with appendix 2 defining relations between Russia and Germany, appendix 3 between Russia and Austria-Hungary, appendix 4 between Russia and Bulgaria, Annex 5 - between Russia and Turkey.

Article XII.

The restoration of public law and private law relations, the exchange of prisoners of war and civilian prisoners, the question of amnesty, as well as the question of the attitude towards merchant ships that have fallen into the power of the enemy, are the subject of separate agreements with Russia, which form an essential part of this peace treaty, and, as far as possible, take effect simultaneously with it.

Article XIII.

When interpreting this agreement, the authentic texts for relations between Russia and Germany are Russian and German, between Russia and Austria-Hungary - Russian, German and Hungarian, between Russia and Bulgaria - Russian and Bulgarian, between Russia and Turkey - Russian and Turkish.

Article XIV.

The present peace treaty will be ratified. The exchange of instruments of ratification should take place as soon as possible in Berlin. The Russian government assumes the obligation to exchange instruments of ratification at the request of one of the powers of the quadruple alliance within a two-week period.

A peace treaty enters into force from the moment of its ratification, unless otherwise follows from its articles, annexes to it or supplementary treaties.

In witness thereof, the Commissioners have personally signed this treaty.

Authentic in five copies.

(Signatures).

Peace of Brest-Litovsk 3 March 1918 – peace treaty between Germany and the Soviet government for Russia's withdrawal from World War I. This world did not last long, since already on October 5, 1918 Germany terminated it, and on November 13, 1918 the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was terminated by the Soviet side. It happened 2 days after the surrender of Germany in the world war.

Possibility of the world

The issue of Russia's exit from the First World War was extremely relevant. The people largely supported the ideas of the revolution, since the revolutionaries promised quick exit countries from the war, which lasted for 3 years and was extremely negatively perceived by the population.

One of the first decrees of the Soviet government was the decree on peace. After this decree, on November 7, 1917, he appeals to all the warring countries with an appeal for the speedy conclusion of peace. Only Germany agreed. At the same time, one must understand that the idea of ​​concluding peace with the capitalist countries was in opposition to the Soviet ideology, which was based on the idea of ​​a world revolution. Therefore, there was no unity among the Soviet authorities. And the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in 1918 had to be pushed through by Lenin for a very long time. The party had three main groups:

• Bukharin. He put forward ideas that the war must continue at all costs. These are the positions of the classical world revolution.
• Lenin. He spoke about the need to sign peace on any terms. This was the position of the Russian generals.
• Trotsky. He put forward a hypothesis, which today is often formulated as “No war! No peace! It was a position of uncertainty, when Russia disbands the army, but does not withdraw from the war, does not sign a peace treaty. It was an ideal situation for Western countries.

Armistice

On November 20, 1917, negotiations began in Brest-Litovsk on the upcoming peace. Germany offered to sign an agreement on the following terms: secession from Russia of the territory of Poland, the Baltic states and part of the Baltic Sea islands. In total, it was assumed that Russia would lose up to 160 thousand square kilometers of territory. Lenin was ready to accept these conditions, since the Soviet government did not have an army, and the generals Russian Empire they unanimously said that the war was lost and peace should be concluded as soon as possible.

The negotiations were led by Trotsky, in his capacity as People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs. Noteworthy is the fact that secret telegrams between Trotsky and Lenin were preserved during the negotiations. On almost any serious military question, Lenin answered that Stalin should be consulted. The reason here is not the genius of Joseph Vissarionovich, but the fact that Stalin acted as an intermediary between the tsarist army and Lenin.

Trotsky during the negotiations in every possible way dragged out time. He talked about the fact that a revolution was about to happen in Germany, so you just need to wait. But even if this revolution does not happen, Germany does not have the strength for a new offensive. Therefore, he was playing for time, waiting for the support of the party.
During the negotiations, an armistice was concluded between the countries for the period from December 10, 1917 to January 7, 1918.

Why did Trotsky play for time?

Taking into account the fact that from the first days of the negotiations, Lenin took the position of unambiguously signing a peace treaty, Troitsky’s support for this idea meant the signing of the Brest Peace and the end of the saga of the First World War for Russia. But Leiba did not do this, why? Historians give 2 explanations for this:

1. He was waiting for the German revolution, which was to begin very soon. If this is true, then Lev Davydovich was an extremely short-sighted person, expecting revolutionary events in a country where the power of the monarchy was quite strong. The revolution eventually happened, but much later than the time when the Bolsheviks expected it.
2. He represented the position of England, the USA and France. The fact is that with the beginning of the revolution in Russia, Trotsky came to the country from the United States with a large amount of money. At the same time, Trotsky was not an entrepreneur, he did not have an inheritance, but he had large sums of money, the origin of which he never specified. Western countries it was extremely beneficial for Russia to delay negotiations with Germany as long as possible, so that the latter would leave her troops on the eastern front. This is a little more than 130 divisions, the transfer of which to western front could prolong the war.

The second hypothesis may at first glance smack of conspiracy theory, but it is not without meaning. In general, if we consider the activities of Leiba Davydovich in Soviet Russia, then almost all of his steps are connected with the interests of England and the United States.

Crisis in negotiations

On January 8, 1918, as was due to the armistice, the parties again sat down at the negotiating table. But literally right there, these negotiations were canceled by Trotsky. He referred to the fact that he urgently needed to return to Petrograd for consultations. Arriving in Russia, he raised the question of whether to conclude the Brest peace in the party. Lenin opposed him, who insisted on signing peace as soon as possible, but Lenin lost 9 votes to 7. This was facilitated by the revolutionary movements that began in Germany.

On January 27, 1918, Germany made a move that few expected. She signed peace with Ukraine. It was a deliberate attempt to play off Russia and Ukraine. But the Soviet government continued to stick to its line. On this day, a decree was signed on the demobilization of the army

We are withdrawing from the war, but we are forced to refuse to sign a peace treaty.

Trotsky

Of course, this shocked her. German side who could not understand how to stop fighting and not sign peace.

On February 11, at 17:00, a telegram from Krylenko was sent to all headquarters of the fronts, stating that the war was over and that they had to return home. The troops began to retreat, exposing the front line. At the same time, the German command brought Trotsky's words to Wilhelm 2, and the Kaiser supported the idea of ​​an offensive.

On February 17, Lenin again makes an attempt to persuade party members to sign a peace treaty with Germany. Again, his position is in the minority, since opponents of the idea of ​​​​signing peace convinced everyone that if Germany did not go on the offensive in 1.5 months, then it would not go on the offensive any further. But they were very wrong.

Agreement signing

On February 18, 1918, Germany launched a large-scale offensive in all sectors of the front. Russian army was already partially demobilized and the Germans were quietly moving forward. There was a real threat of complete seizure by Germany and Austria-Hungary of the territory of Russia. The only thing that the Red Army was able to do was to give a small battle on February 23 and slightly slow down the enemy’s advance. Moreover, the battle was given by officers who changed into a soldier's overcoat. But it was one center of resistance, which could not solve anything.

Lenin, under the threat of resignation, pushed through the decision to sign a peace treaty with Germany in the party. As a result, negotiations began, which ended very quickly. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed on March 3, 1918 at 17:50.

On March 14, the 4th All-Russian Congress of Soviets ratified the Brest peace treaty. In protest, the Left SRs withdrew from the government.

The terms of the Brest Peace were as follows:

• Complete separation from Russia of the territory of Poland and Lithuania.
• Partial separation from Russia of the territory of Latvia, Belarus and Transcaucasia.
• Russia completely withdrew its troops from the Baltic states and Finland. Let me remind you that Finland had already been lost before.
• The independence of Ukraine was recognized, which passed under the protectorate of Germany.
• Russia ceded eastern Anatolia, Kars and Ardagan to Turkey.
• Russia paid Germany an indemnity of 6 billion marks, which was equal to 3 billion gold rubles.

Under the terms of the Brest Peace, Russia lost an area of ​​789,000 square kilometers (compare with the initial conditions). 56 million people lived in this territory, which accounted for 1/3 of the population of the Russian Empire. Such heavy losses became possible only because of the position of Trotsky, who at first played for time, and then brazenly provoked the enemy.

The fate of the Brest Peace

It is noteworthy that after the signing of the agreement, Lenin never used the word "treaty" or "peace", but replaced them with the word "respite". And it really was so, because the world did not last long. Already on October 5, 1918, Germany terminated the treaty. The Soviet government terminated it on November 13, 1918, 2 days after the end of the First World War. In other words, the government waited for the defeat of Germany, made sure that this defeat was irrevocable and calmly canceled the treaty.

Why was Lenin so afraid to use the word "Brest Peace"? The answer to this question is quite simple. After all, the idea of ​​concluding a peace treaty with the capitalist countries was in opposition to the theory of socialist revolution. Therefore, the recognition of the conclusion of peace could be used by Lenin's opponents to eliminate him. And here Vladimir Ilyich showed a rather high degree of flexibility. He made peace with Germany, but in the party he used the word respite. It was precisely because of this word that the decision of the congress on the ratification of the peace treaty was not published. After all, the publication of these documents using Lenin's wording could be met negatively. Germany made peace, but she did not conclude any respite. Peace puts an end to the war, and a respite implies its continuation. Therefore, Lenin acted wisely not to publish the decision of the 4th Congress on the ratification of the Brest-Litovsk agreements.

The conclusion of the Brest peace took place on March 3, 1918. The parties to the agreement were: Russia - the first side, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey - the second. The effect of this peace treaty was short-lived. it lasted a little over nine months.

It all started with the first negotiations in Brest, where Kamenev L.B. and Ioffe A.A., as well as Mstislavsky S.D., Karakhan L.M. acted as representatives of the Russian Bolsheviks. AT last minute before leaving for this border town, it was decided that the participation of representatives of the people was necessary. These were a soldier, a worker, a sailor and a peasant who was lured by large business trips. Of course, the opinion of this group was not taken into account during the negotiations and was simply not heard.

During the negotiations, the fact was revealed that the German side, in addition to signing the peace, wants to conclude it without indemnities and annexations, and also longs to achieve from Russia the right of nations to self-determination, thus planning to get Ukraine and the Russian Baltic states under its own control. It became obvious that Russia could lose Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, as well as the territory of Transcaucasia.

The signing of the Brest Peace was only a temporary truce in the hostilities. Lenin, Sverdlov and Trotsky were worried that if the conditions of the German side were met, they would be overthrown for treason, since the bulk of the Bolsheviks did not agree with the policies of Vladimir Ulyanov.

In January 1918, the second stage of negotiations took place in Brest. The delegation was headed by Trotsky without the presence of representatives of the people. The main role in the course of this round belonged to the Ukrainian delegation, whose main demand was the secession of the lands of Bukovina and Galicia from Austria-Hungary. At the same time, the Ukrainian side did not want to know the Russian delegation. Thus, Russia has lost an ally in the person of Ukraine. For Germany, the latter was beneficial by placing on its territory a significant number of warehouses with weapons and military uniforms. The Brest peace, due to the impossibility of reaching common points of contact, ended in nothing and was not signed.

The third stage of negotiations began, during which the representative of the Russian delegation Trotsky L.D. refused to recognize representatives from Ukraine.

On March 3, 1918, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed. The result of this agreement was the rejection of Poland, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Crimea, Ukraine and Transcaucasia from Russia. Among other things, the fleet was disarmed and issued to Germany, an indemnity of six billion marks in gold was imposed, as well as one billion marks to compensate for the damage to German citizens that they suffered during the revolution. Austria-Hungary and Germany received warehouses with weapons and ammunition. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk also imposed on Russia an obligation to withdraw troops from the said territories. Their place was taken by the armed forces of Germany. to the peace treaty stipulated the economic position of Germany in Russia. Thus, German citizens were endowed with the right to engage in entrepreneurial activities in Russia, despite the process of nationalization taking place in it.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk restored customs tariffs with Germany established in 1904. Due to the non-recognition by the Bolsheviks of the tsarist, according to this agreement, she was forced to confirm them to such countries as Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey and Germany and begin to make payments on these debts.

The countries that were part of the Entente bloc did not approve of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and in mid-March 1918 announced their non-recognition.

In November 1918, Germany abandoned the terms of the peace agreement. Two days later, it was annulled by the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. A little later, German troops began to leave the former

The conclusion of the Brest Peace with Germany

At the end of October 1917 there was a change of power - it passed into the hands of the Bolsheviks, and the main slogan foreign policy They delivered to Russia "peace without annexations and indemnities." At the first and, ironically, the last convocation of the Constituent Assembly, the Bolsheviks presented their Decree on Peace, which assumed a cessation that had already taken on a protracted character.
The armistice, initiated by the Soviet government, was signed on 2 December. And from that moment on, the soldiers began to spontaneously leave the front - most of them were rather tired of the fighting, and they wanted to go home, behind the front line, where most of the country's population was busy dividing the land. They left in different ways: some - without permission, taking weapons and ammunition with them, others - legally, asking for leave or on business trips.

Signing of the Brest Peace

A few days later, in Brest-Litovsk, negotiations began on a peace agreement, at which the Soviet government offered Germany to conclude a peace under which Russia would not pay indemnities. Never before in its entire history has our country paid this kind of payment, and the Bolsheviks wanted to continue to adhere to this policy. However, this did not suit Germany at all, and at the end of January 1918 an ultimatum was presented to Russia, as a result of which the Russians were deprived of Belarus, Poland and, in part, the Baltic states. This turn of events put the Soviet command in a difficult position: on the one hand, such shameful world it was impossible to conclude in any case, and the war should have continued. On the other hand, there were no forces and means left to continue fighting.
And then Leon Trotsky, who was at the head of the Soviet delegation, delivered a speech at the negotiations that said that Russia would not sign peace, but also did not intend to continue the war; she will simply disband the army and withdraw from the war zone. This statement by Russia threw all the participants in the negotiations into confusion: it was difficult to remember that someone else was trying to end the military conflict in such, to put it mildly, extraordinary way.
But neither Germany nor Austria-Hungary was satisfied with such a resolution of the conflict at all. Therefore, on February 18, they went on the offensive, going far beyond the front line. Nobody resisted them: cities, one after another, surrendered without a fight. The very next day, the Soviet leadership came to the realization that the most difficult conditions put forward by Germany would have to be accepted and agreed to conclude this peace treaty, which was signed on March 3, 1918.

Terms of the Brest-Litovsk peace with Germany

Under the terms of the Brest Peace:
1) Russia lost Ukraine, the Grand Duchy of Finland, partly - Belarus, Poland and the Baltic states.
2) The Russian army and navy were to be demobilized.
3) The Russian Black Sea Fleet was to withdraw to Germany and Austria-Hungary.
4) Russia lost part of the land in the Caucasus - Batumi and Kars regions.
5) The Soviet government was obliged to stop revolutionary propaganda in Germany and Austria, as well as in the countries allied to them.
Among other things, Russia was obliged to pay reparations to Germany and the losses incurred by it during the revolutionary events in Russia.
However, even after the conclusion of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, the Soviet government still did not rule out that German troops would continue their advance across the country and occupy Petrograd. As a result of these fears, it moved to Moscow, thus making it the Russian capital again.

Consequences of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany

The humiliating peace agreement with the Germans met with a strong negative reaction both in Russia itself and among the former allies in the Entente. However, the consequences of the conclusion of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany were not as serious as first thought. The reason for this was the defeat of the Germans in World War I. On November 13, the peace treaty was annulled by the Bolsheviks, and Lenin, their leader, gained a reputation as a political seer. However, many believe that by concluding the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and accepting humiliating conditions, the “leader of the world proletariat” and his comrades simply paid off Germany for the patronage that they received during the years of preparation for the struggle for power.