Little Treaty of Versailles
The Little Treaty of Versailles, also known as the Polish Minority Treaty, was a small agreement between Poland and the League of Nations after World War I. It was signed on June 28, 1919, the same day as the big Treaty of Versailles, and it became the model for later minority treaties.
Poland had just become independent after 123 years of partitions. Because Poland’s new borders included many non-Polish people and because there were ongoing wars in the region, the major powers asked Poland to sign the treaty in exchange for recognizing its independence and for Poland to sign a peace with Germany.
The treaty required Poland to protect the rights of people who differed from the majority in race, language, or religion. It promised life, liberty, and equal civil rights for all, and it supported religious tolerance.
It also included other rules: Poland would take on some debts of the old Russian state and give most-favored-nation trade treatment in transit to Allied states.
The League of Nations guaranteed the treaty, and changes would need the consent of the majority of the League’s Council. If there were disputes, minorities could bring complaints to the League.
Poland’s leaders signed the treaty, it was ratified by Parliament, and it took effect in January 1920. Poland later renounced the treaty in 1934.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 11:43 (CET).