Question

The Treaty of Versailles was the peace agreement between Germany and the Allied powers after World War I. What did this treaty do? Select all that apply.

Answer 1

The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, had several significant provisions and consequences. Here are the key points regarding what the treaty did:

1. **Imposed Reparations on Germany**: Germany was required to pay substantial reparations to the Allied powers for damages caused during the war.

2. **Territorial Changes**: The treaty led to significant territorial losses for Germany, including the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to France, parts of Prussia to the newly created Poland, and the cession of various territories to Belgium and Denmark.

3. **Military Restrictions**: The treaty imposed strict limitations on the size and capability of the German military, including restrictions on the size of its army (limited to 100,000 troops) and the prohibition of certain types of weapons and military conscription.

4. **Article 231 (War Guilt Clause)**: It included the "war guilt clause," which assigned blame for the war exclusively to Germany and its allies, which was used to justify the reparations and other punitive measures.

5. **League of Nations**: The treaty established the League of Nations, an international organization aimed at maintaining peace, although Germany was initially excluded from participation.

These provisions collectively aimed to punish Germany for its role in World War I, reshape the map of Europe, and prevent future conflicts, although many historians argue that they also contributed to the conditions leading to World War II.