Why Austria Lost Millions of German Speakers After WWI

What happened to Austria after the First World War? Why were millions of German speakers suddenly living outside Austria's borders—and why were some regions allowed to vote while others were not? In this documentary, we explore the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Treaty of Saint-Germain, and the controversial border decisions that reshaped Central Europe after 1918. We examine why referendums were held in Carinthia and Sopron, while regions such as the Sudetenland, South Tyrol, Lower Styria, Pressburg (Bratislava), and the Canal Valley were incorporated into neighboring states without a popular vote. Was the principle of national self-determination truly applied after World War I—or was the new European order ultimately shaped by strategic interests and power politics? Using historical maps, original sources, and clear explanations, this documentary explores one of the most important—and often overlooked—chapters in modern European history. If you enjoy history documentaries about Europe, the Habsburg Empire, World War I, changing borders, and geopolitics, consider subscribing for more videos.