What were the main provisions of the Treaty of Versailles?

The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, marked the end of World War I and aimed to establish peace and stability in Europe. The main provisions of the treaty can be categorized into territorial, military, financial, and political aspects.

Territorial Provisions:
1. Germany lost significant territories, including Alsace-Lorraine to France, Eupen-Malmedy to Belgium, and West Prussia, Posen, and Upper Silesia to Poland.
2. The German colonies in Africa and the Pacific were distributed among the Allied powers as mandates.
3. The Saar region was placed under the control of the League of Nations for 15 years, after which a plebiscite would determine its future.

Military Provisions:
1. Germany was demilitarized, with severe restrictions imposed on its armed forces. The army was limited to 100,000 men, conscription was abolished, and the navy was reduced to a small fleet.
2. The Rhineland, a buffer zone between Germany and France, was demilitarized and occupied by Allied forces for 15 years.
3. The production and possession of heavy artillery, tanks, and aircraft were prohibited for Germany.

Financial Provisions:
1. Germany was held responsible for the war and was required to pay reparations to the Allied powers. The exact amount was not specified initially but was later set at 132 billion gold marks, a sum that proved to be economically devastating for Germany.
2. The German economy was further impacted by the loss of valuable industrial territories and resources.

Political Provisions:
1. The League of Nations was established as an international organization to promote peace and resolve conflicts. Germany was initially excluded from the League but was admitted in 1926.
2. The treaty included the "War Guilt Clause," Article 231, which placed sole responsibility for the war on Germany and its allies. This clause was a source of great resentment in Germany and contributed to the rise of nationalism and the eventual outbreak of World War II.

Overall, the Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh conditions on Germany, which many historians argue contributed to the economic and political instability that followed, ultimately leading to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the outbreak of World War II.