After World War I, the most significant geopolitical change in Europe was the dismantling of empires and the redrawing of national boundaries. The Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, Russian, and German empires collapsed, leading to the emergence of new nation-states, such as Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh reparations on Germany, creating economic hardship and political unrest. This reshaping of Europe also laid the groundwork for future conflicts, as unresolved nationalistic tensions and territorial disputes contributed to the rise of extremism and ultimately World War II.