Treaty of Versailles
Definition
The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed in 1919 that officially ended World War I. It held Germany responsible for the war and imposed heavy penalties, including territorial losses, military restrictions, and reparations.
Analogy
Think of the Treaty of Versailles as a strict school principal punishing a student who started a big fight. The student is not only suspended but also has to apologize publicly, repair any damage caused during the fight, and promise never to do it again.
Related terms
War Guilt Clause: This was part of the Treaty of Versailles that declared Germany (and Austria) were responsible for starting World War I and had to pay reparations.
Reparations: These are payments made by defeated countries after a war to compensate victorious countries for damages. In this case, Germany had to pay large sums to Allied countries after WWI due to the Treaty of Versailles.
Paris Peace Conference: This was an international meeting held in Paris in 1919 where leaders from over 30 nations negotiated peace treaties ending World War I, including the Treaty of Versailles.
"Treaty of Versailles" appears in:
Subjects (5)
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (8)
The Treaty of Versailles after World War 1...
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
Which of the following BEST explains the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the outbreak of World War II?
What measures were taken in the Treaty of Versailles to prevent Germany from initiating another war?
Which of the following best describes a significant outcome of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany after World War I?
What was a key difference in the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany and Austria?
What was the most significant impact of the Treaty of Versailles that directly contributed to World War II?
What was a direct consequence of the Treaty of Versailles on global conflict in the 20th century?
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