Treaty of Versailles (1919)
Historical documentAbout
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, officially ended World War I and imposed significant terms on Germany. It mandated territorial losses, including the return of Alsace-Lorraine to France and the creation of the Polish Corridor, which separated East Prussia from the rest of Germany. Germany also lost its overseas colonies and was forced to pay substantial reparations. The treaty limited Germany's military, prohibiting conscription and an air force, and required it to accept responsibility for causing the war under the infamous "War Guilt Clause." The treaty also led to the establishment of the League of Nations, an international organization aimed at preventing future wars. However, the treaty's harsh terms contributed to widespread resentment in Germany, which many historians believe contributed to the rise of Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II. Despite its intentions to secure peace, the treaty's conditions were seen as punitive by many Germans, leading to economic hardship and political instability in the interwar period.
