20 peace treaties that fell apart in the blink of an eye

The Treaty of Troyes was signed during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France and recognized King Henry V of England as heir to the French throne. However, both Henry V and the King of France died within the following two years, which significantly weakened the agreement.

The Peace of Nicias was intended to bring an end to the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta after years of grueling fighting. The smaller allied states continued to fight, and the mistrust between Athens and Sparta never truly disappeared.

The Treaty of Amiens temporarily put an end to hostilities between Great Britain and Napoleonic France during the French Revolutionary Wars. Unfortunately, both sides continued to harbor deep mistrust of each other’s ambitions and military expansion. 

The United States signed the Treaty of Fort Laramie with several Native American tribes, including the Lakota Sioux, pledging to protect tribal lands on the Great Plains. Miners and settlers moved into the region despite the protections provided by the treaty, and the U.S. government struggled to prevent them from doing so. 

Following Napoleon’s victory over Austria at the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaty of Pressburg officially ended the War of the Third Coalition. Austria ceded territories and accepted France’s dominant influence throughout Europe. Just a few years later, Austria took up arms again against Napoleon during the War of the Fifth Coalition.

The Treaty of Paris brought an end to the Crimean War, which pitted Russia against an alliance comprising Great Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire. Russia, however, strongly objected to several restrictions imposed by the treaty and gradually ceased to comply with certain provisions. 

This treaty put an end to decades of conflict between France and Spain during the Italian Wars. However, peace among the European powers did not last long, as religious tensions were rapidly escalating across the continent. France soon descended into the Wars of Religion, which triggered a new wave of instability almost immediately after the agreement was signed.

Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany during World War I, after the Bolsheviks seized power. Many Russians considered the terms of the treaty humiliating, and they were deeply unpopular. 

The Treaty of Melno brought an end to the conflict between the Teutonic Order and the Polish-Lithuanian alliance. The Teutonic Order continued to lose influence and viewed the rise of Poland and Lithuania with suspicion. Despite this superficial peace, new conflicts and political struggles soon broke out.

The Treaty of London was an ambitious non-aggression pact devised by Cardinal Wolsey with the aim of uniting the major European powers in peace. Although it looked impressive on paper, rivalries between France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire remained intense. Within a few years, Europe was once again engulfed in armed conflict.

The Treaty of Lunéville ended the war between France and Austria during the French Revolution. While this treaty temporarily reduced the fighting, it did little to resolve the broader power struggle sparked by Napoleon’s rise to power. 

The Treaty of Prague ended the Austro-Prussian War and confirmed Prussia’s growing influence in Germany. Although the fighting ended quickly, this agreement radically altered the balance of power in Europe, leading to the outbreak of a new war four years later.

England and France signed the Treaty of Le Goulet to settle the disputes between King John of England and King Philip II of France. This agreement temporarily eased tensions over land ownership in Normandy and neighboring territories. Hostilities resumed only a few years later.

The Treaty of Bucharest brought an end to the Second Balkan War, in which several Balkan states were fighting over territories seized from the Ottoman Empire. However, nationalist resentment continued to spread throughout the Balkan region in the years that followed. 

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was signed between the Muslim community of Medina and the Quraysh tribe of Mecca. Although some believers initially considered its terms unfavorable, this agreement helped temporarily reduce conflict and ensure greater safety for travelers. Within two years, Mecca came under Muslim control.

Napoleon and Tsar Alexander I signed the Treaty of Tilsit following France’s victory over Russia and Prussia. This agreement temporarily brought France and Russia closer together, while considerably weakening Prussia. In 1812, Napoleon launched his disastrous Russian campaign, putting an end to any hope of a lasting peace.

The Treaty of Campo Formio ended the war between France and Austria following Napoleon’s early military victories in Italy. Austria ceded territories, while France strengthened its influence throughout Europe. 

The Treaty of Nanking brought an end to the First Opium War between Great Britain and China and forced China to make significant concessions. Great Britain gained Hong Kong, while several ports were opened to foreign trade. The persistence of disputes ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the Second Opium War in the 1850s. 

Austria signed the Treaty of Schönbrunn after another defeat at the hands of Napoleon during the War of the Fifth Coalition. This treaty forced Austria to cede territories and significantly weakened its military position. Hostility toward French rule never disappeared, and Austria subsequently joined the efforts against Napoleon once again. 

The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I between Germany and the Allied Powers. Germany faced heavy financial penalties, territorial losses, and military restrictions that fueled resentment in the decades that followed. Barely twenty years later, Europe was once again at war with the outbreak of World War II.