What was the Treaty of Versailles and its main terms?

The Treaty of Versailles was a pivotal agreement that formally ended World War I in 1919. Its central terms included imposing heavy reparations on Germany, which were intended to hold the nation accountable for the war and to provide compensation to the Allied nations. Additionally, the treaty mandated significant territorial losses for Germany, including the surrender of Alsace-Lorraine to France and the loss of territories that were used to establish new nations such as Poland and Czechoslovakia.

Moreover, the treaty severely limited Germany's military capabilities and mandated the acceptance of guilt for starting the war through the infamous War Guilt Clause. The Treaty of Versailles not only shaped the geopolitical landscape of post-war Europe but also set the stage for economic hardship and political instability in Germany, which contributed to the rise of extremism and eventually, World War II.

Other choices do not accurately reflect the Treaty of Versailles’ purpose or stipulations, as they pertain to different historical events or agreements, such as the establishment of NATO or the United Nations, which occurred after World War II.