* The principle of self-determination recognized in the Covenant of the League of Nations (Articles 22 & 23).
* New states created based on ethnic and national considerations: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Yugoslavia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania.
* Minority Treaties signed to protect linguistic, religious, civil, and cultural rights of minorities in these new states.
* Plebiscites held in certain disputed territories to determine their national affiliation: Schleswig, Allenstein, Marienwerder, Upper Silesia.
* International mandates established for former German and Ottoman colonies, with the aim of eventually preparing them for self-government and independence (Article 22 of the Covenant).
Negative Impacts:
- Disregard for self-determination in certain cases:
France annexed Alsace-Lorraine without a plebiscite.
Italy annexed South Tyrol (Alto Adige), ignoring Italian promises and the wishes of the majority German-speaking population.
The borders of some new states, like Poland and Czechoslovakia, were drawn without much consideration for ethnic realities, leading to the inclusion of significant minority populations.
- Incomplete application: many nations outside of Eastern Europe were not granted self-determination. Colonial possessions of victorious power remained colonies.
- The harsh provisions and war guilt clause imposed on Germany in the treaty created resentment and a sense of injustice among Germans, undermining the idea of self-determination in their case.
- League of Nations lacked effective mechanism to enforce Minority Treaties
Overall, while the Treaty of Versailles introduced the principle of self-determination to international diplomacy, its incomplete and uneven application, including the denial of self-determination to people outside Europe, led to dissatisfaction and contributed to tensions that would surface in later years.