As World War I ends in 1939, there is a split peace. While the Russians have been forced out of the war and have already signed the treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the Germans have been defeated on the Western Front by the allies. The Austro-Hungarians, on the other hand, have been able to defeat both the Italians and the Serbians. By contracting generous treaties with these two nations, they are able to appease the allies.