What was a significant outcome of the Treaty of Versailles?

The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, was primarily aimed at formally ending World War I and laying out the terms for peace. A significant outcome of this treaty was the imposition of reparations on Germany, which required the country to make substantial financial payments to the Allied powers as compensation for the damages caused during the war. This provision was one of the most contentious aspects of the treaty, contributing to economic hardship in Germany during the 1920s and creating a climate of resentment that would later play a role in the rise of extremist political movements, including the Nazis.

The other options represent events or entities that are not directly associated with the Treaty of Versailles. The United Nations was established in 1945, long after the treaty was signed. The end of colonial rule in Africa occurred much later in the mid-20th century, influenced by decolonization movements rather than the treaty. The expansion of the British Empire was also a phenomenon prominent earlier in the 19th century, not a result of the Treaty of Versailles. Thus, the focus on reparations is integral to understanding the treaty's immediate and long-term consequences in shaping post-war Europe.