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Title variants
Danzig, Fiume, Memel – concept of the free cities after World War Iand the principle of national self-determination and protection of national minorities
Languages of publication
Abstracts
Post-Versailles Europe saw the emergence of new, quasi-state territorial corporations (enjoying a great deal of autonomy, but not sovereignty). These included the Free State of Fiume/Rijeka (1919- 1924), Free City of Danzig/Gdańsk (1920-1939), Free State of Memel/ Klaipeda (which emerged between 1920 and 1923, before being incorporated into Lithuania with partial autonomy still remaining), as well as, slightly later, the autonomous Åland Islands (1922), and the Republic of Hatay (1938-1939). In theory, those international law constructs were supposed to resolve tensions (including those erupting on the grounds of nationality) between neighbours vying for control over strategic territories (and cities). However, they proved to primarily spark new conflicts of varying length. The article constitutes an attempt at comparing the geneses and development of the first three of the above mentioned “free cities”, as well as identifying their role in the newly-formed League of Nations. In addition, the article attempts to determine the degree to which the principle of national self-determination played a role in the establishment of these entities, as well as the methods used to ensure that the national minorities which found themselves within the borders of these “free cities” were protected.
Publisher
Year
Volume
Pages
92-114
Physical description
Dates
published
2020
Contributors
References
Document Type
Publication order reference
Identifiers
Biblioteka Nauki
56076754
YADDA identifier
bwmeta1.element.ojs-doi-10_24425_historie_2020_133252
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