Versailles Treaty War Guilt Clause

The Versailles Treaty, signed in 1919 after World War I, included a controversial "War Guilt Clause" (Article 231). This clause placed full blame for the war on Germany and its allies, requiring them to accept responsibility for the conflict and its consequences. It justified heavy reparations and territorial losses imposed on Germany. The clause fostered deep resentment among Germans, contributing to political instability and economic hardship in the country. Many historians believe this sense of humiliation and injustice indirectly laid the groundwork for the rise of Adolf Hitler and the onset of World War II.