Armistice - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. An armistice is a temporary cessation of hostilities between two warring parties, usually negotiated by diplomats or military officials.
- 2. The most famous armistice in history is the one that ended World War I on November 11, 1918. This armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany in a railway carriage in Compiègne, France.
- 3. The armistice agreement that ended World War I went into effect at 11:00 am on November 11, 1918, which is why this date is now celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in many countries.
- 4. The terms of the armistice agreement included the withdrawal of German forces from occupied territories, the surrender of German weapons and equipment, and the release of Allied prisoners of war.
- 5. The armistice agreement was meant to be a temporary measure to allow for the negotiation of a formal peace treaty. The Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War I, was signed on June 28, 1919.
- 6. The word "armistice" comes from the Latin word "arma," meaning arms, and "stitium," meaning stop. It literally means to stop arms or weapons.
- 7. Armistice agreements are often used as a precursor to formal peace treaties to allow for a cessation of hostilities while terms are negotiated.
- 8. Armistices can be negotiated for various reasons, such as to facilitate humanitarian aid, exchange prisoners of war, or allow for the evacuation of civilians from a war zone.
- 9. Armistice agreements are typically monitored by a neutral third party, such as the United Nations or a group of international observers, to ensure that both parties adhere to the terms of the agreement.
- 10. While an armistice is technically a temporary agreement, it can sometimes lead to a more permanent peace settlement if both parties are willing to negotiate in good faith. However, in some cases, armistices have broken down and hostilities have resumed, leading to a return to war.