What was the significance of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in World War I?

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was significant in World War I primarily because it marked Russia's formal withdrawal from the conflict by signing a peace agreement with Germany. After the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, the new Soviet government sought to exit the war to focus on domestic issues and consolidate power. The treaty allowed Russia to stop fighting and avoid further casualties, but it came at a high cost, as Russia ceded large territories to Germany and its allies, including parts of Poland, the Baltic States, and Ukraine.

This withdrawal had substantial implications for the war. It allowed Germany to reallocate its resources to the Western Front, significantly impacting the strategic balance of power in Europe during the war. The treaty also underscored the collapse of the Eastern Front and altered the dynamic of World War I, enabling the Central Powers to focus their military efforts elsewhere. In doing so, it facilitated the eventual outcome of the war and set the stage for future geopolitical changes in the region.