The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, officially ended World War I between Germany and the Allied Powers. Its main provisions included:
- Germany had to accept full responsibility for causing the war (the "war guilt clause") and pay reparations to the Allies, initially set at £6.6 billion, to cover war damages
- Germany lost significant territory: Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France; Eupen-Malmédy was ceded to Belgium; Poznan, West Prussia, and Upper Silesia were given to Poland; and other territorial adjustments were made, resulting in Germany losing about 13% of its territory and 10% of its population
- The Rhineland was to be demilitarized and occupied by Allied troops for 15 years to provide security for France
- Germany’s military was severely restricted: the army was limited to 100,000 soldiers, tanks and air force were banned, and the navy was limited to a few battleships
- Germany had to surrender all its overseas colonies
- The League of Nations was established to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts, an idea strongly supported by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson
The treaty was highly controversial, especially in Germany, where it was seen as humiliating and excessively punitive. It contributed to economic hardship, political instability, and resentment that eventually facilitated the rise of extremist movements like the Nazis
. In summary, the Treaty of Versailles imposed territorial losses, military restrictions, reparations, and war guilt on Germany, while establishing the League of Nations in an effort to secure lasting peace after World War I
