1. German Aggression: The primary factor leading to the Treaty of Versailles was Germany's aggressive actions during World War I. Germany's invasion of Belgium, France, and Russia, as well as its unrestricted submarine warfare, angered and united Allied powers against it.
2. Fourteen Points: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson's "Fourteen Points" peace proposal outlined his vision for a just and lasting peace after the war. Point Eight specifically called for "rectification of the wrongs done to France by Prussia in 1871, in the matter of Alsace-Lorraine." This provision foreshadowed the return of Alsace-Lorraine to France in the Treaty of Versailles.
3. Armistice Agreement: The Armistice of 11 November 1918, which ended the fighting between Germany and the Allied forces, included the requirement that Germany accept the terms of an eventual peace treaty.
4. Blame for the War (Article 231): The treaty's Article 231, known as the "war guilt clause," assigned sole responsibility for the war to Germany. This clause was highly controversial and created resentment in Germany.
5. Reparations: Germany was required to pay substantial reparations to the Allied Powers to cover the costs and damages incurred during the war. The exact amount of reparations was not specified in the treaty but was to be determined by a Reparations Commission.
6. Territorial Losses: Germany lost significant territories as a consequence of the treaty:
- Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France.
- Eupen-Malmédy went to Belgium.
- North Schleswig was ceded to Denmark.
Several other territories were lost to Poland and Czechoslovakia. Germany's overseas colonies were also divided among the Allied Powers.
7. Saar Basin: The Saar Basin, a region rich in coal, was placed under the temporary administration of the League of Nations for fifteen years, after which a referendum would determine its future status.
8. Demilitarization of the Rhineland: The Rhineland, a zone west of the Rhine River, was demilitarized to prevent Germany from launching future attacks on France and Belgium.
9. League of Nations Membership: Germany was required to join the League of Nations, an international organization established to promote peace and cooperation.
These factors, among others, contributed to the complex and controversial Treaty of Versailles, which had a lasting impact on Germany and Europe's political landscape.