Treaty of Versailles
Definition
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, ending World War I. The treaty held Germany responsible for starting the war and imposed heavy penalties on them.
Analogy
Imagine if you broke your neighbor's window playing baseball. As punishment, not only do you have to pay for the window but also give up your baseball bat (military restrictions), give them part of your yard (territorial losses), and promise never to play baseball again without their permission (loss of sovereignty). That's kind of how Germany felt after signing this treaty!
Related terms
World War I: A global conflict that took place primarily in Europe from 1914-1918. It involved many world powers divided into two opposing alliances - Allies vs Central Powers.
Reparations: Payments made by defeated countries after a war to compensate victorious countries for damages caused during the war. In this case, Germany had to pay reparations as per the Treaty of Versailles.
League of Nations: An international organization established after World War I under the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. Its goal was to promote peace and cooperation among nations.
"Treaty of Versailles" appears in:
Subjects (5)
Study guides (7)
AP European History - 7.7 Imperialism’s Global Effects
AP European History - 8.1 Context of 20th Century Global Conflicts
AP European History - 8.2 World War I
AP European History - 8.5 Global Economic Crisis: The Great Depression
AP European History - 8.6 Fascism and Totalitarianism
AP European History - 8.7 Europe During the Interwar Period
AP European History - 8.8 World War II
Additional resources (1)
Practice Questions (20+)
What was one of the major consequences of the Treaty of Versailles after World War I?
How did the Treaty of Versailles impact Germany?
What was one of the key factors contributing to the failure of the Treaty of Versailles in maintaining peace?
How did the Treaty of Versailles impact Germany's military capabilities?
What was the main consequence of the severe war reparations imposed on Germany through the Treaty of Versailles?
What was the amount of war reparations placed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?
Which violations of the Treaty of Versailles were overlooked by Britain and France?
What impact did the Treaty of Versailles have on the balance of power in Europe?
What might have been the impact on Europe's geopolitical landscape if the Treaty of Versailles (1919) had been more lenient towards Germany?
In which year was the Treaty of Versailles signed, marking an end to World War I and fueling nationalism in various countries?
What can be identified as a direct effect of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany post-World War I?
What role did the Treaty of Versailles play in instigating WWII?
Which country was primarily held responsible for starting World War I in the Treaty Of Versailles?
How did Treaty of Versailles impact Germany's political landscape post-World War I?
Who was not a signatory country of the Treaty of Versailles?
Which country was blamed for World War I in the Treaty of Versailles?
Which country did not sign the Treaty of Versailles?
Why were many Germans unhappy with Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles?
What was a direct consequence of the territorial changes as per Treaty of Versailles on Eastern Europe?
How did the loss of their overseas colonies affect Germany after the Treaty of Versailles?
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