Little Entente

Quick Facts: Who was Little Entente?

Subject:

Little Entente

Known for:

A 1920s-1930s defensive alliance of Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Yugoslavia.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Little Entente was an alliance formed in 1920 and 1921 by Czechoslovakia, Romania and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Yugoslavia from 1929 on) with the purpose of common defense against Hungarian revisionism and the prospect of a Habsburg restoration in Austria or Hungary. France supported the alliance by signing treaties with each member country. The rapid growth of German power caused its collapse in 1938, and it never went into wartime operation.

Career & Major Achievements

The first attempts seeking a mutual defense of the successor states of Austria-Hungary took place during the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. The most remarkable and ardent proponent of the certain alliance binding the successor states was Edvard Beneš, the foreign minister of Czechoslovakia from 1918 to 1935.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Beneš played such a crucial role in establishing the Little Entente that he was regarded as its real founder. It also clearly reflected his belief in the necessity to develop democracy in not only Czechoslovakia but also other European states.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1918: 1918 Milestone — The most remarkable and ardent proponent of the certain alliance binding the successor states was Edvard Beneš, the foreign minister of Czechoslovakia from 1918 to 1935.
2. 1919: 1919 Milestone — The first attempts seeking a mutual defense of the successor states of Austria-Hungary took place during the Paris Peace Conference of 1919.
3. 1920: 1920 Milestone — The Little Entente was an alliance formed in 1920 and 1921 by Czechoslovakia, Romania and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Yugoslavia from 1929 on) with the purpose of common defense against Hungarian revisionism and the prospect of a Habsburg restoration in Austria or Hungary.
4. 1938: 1938 Milestone — The rapid growth of German power caused its collapse in 1938, and it never went into wartime operation.

Notable Quotes by Little Entente

“The Little Entente was an alliance formed in 1920 and 1921 by Czechoslovakia, Romania and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Yugoslavia from 1929 on) with the purpose of common defense against Hungarian revisionism and the prospect of a Habsburg restoration in Austria or Hungary.” (1920)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Little Entente

True or False: “True or False: The Little Entente was designed solely to prevent the restoration of the Habsburg monarchy, ignoring other geopolitical threats.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. While preventing Habsburg restoration was a core aim, the alliance was also explicitly formed for the common defense against Hungarian revisionism and managing broader regional instability.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Little Entente