What was the main goal of the Treaty of Versailles?

The main goal of the Treaty of Versailles was to impose punitive measures on Germany after World War I. The treaty was negotiated and signed in 1919, primarily by the Allied powers, which included France, Britain, and the United States. In the aftermath of the war, there was a strong desire among the victorious nations to hold Germany accountable for the conflict and to ensure that such a devastating war would not occur again.

The punitive measures included significant territorial losses for Germany, substantial reparations payments that placed a heavy economic burden on the country, and military restrictions designed to limit Germany’s future military capabilities. These terms were seen as a way to weaken Germany politically and militarily, thereby reducing the threat it posed to its neighbors in Europe.

While the Treaty did include provisions aimed at establishing a League of Nations to promote peace and attempts to redefine some national borders, its core objective was centered on punishing Germany, which reflects the prevailing sentiment of the time that the nation should bear the blame for the war. This punitive approach ultimately contributed to significant political and economic instability in Germany during the 1920s and 1930s, setting the stage for future conflicts in Europe.