The statement that best explains the relationship between World War I and the beginning of World War II is:
Germany was devastated after signing the Treaty of Versailles, which led to a rise in extreme political beliefs, such as fascism and Nazism.
This statement highlights how the consequences of World War I, particularly the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, contributed to political instability and economic hardship in Germany, setting the stage for the rise of extremist ideologies that ultimately led to World War II.