What was the main outcome of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919?

The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, primarily served to formally end World War I. One of its most significant outcomes was the imposition of heavy reparations on Germany, which were intended to hold the nation accountable for the war and its consequences. The treaty aimed to maintain peace and stability in Europe by reshaping national borders and creating new nations from the remnants of empires that had been dismantled due to the war’s outcomes.

The severe economic consequences and territorial losses enforced by the treaty created deep resentment and hardship in Germany, which contributed to political instability and discontent in the years following the war. This environment ultimately set the stage for significant political changes in Germany, including the rise of extremist movements, but the primary function of the Treaty of Versailles was to officially conclude the conflict and stipulate Germany’s reparative obligations.

While the establishment of the League of Nations aimed to promote cooperative international relations, the economic and territorial stipulations that burdened Germany were pivotal in reshaping Europe’s political landscape leading up to World War II.