History of Europe

Why was the Versailles treaty held?

Treaty of Versailles 1919 : The war guilt clause put responsibility for starting WWI (War to End All Wars) solely on Germany and laid the base for Germany to pay reparations to affected Allies. These financial penalties lasted about a generation until 1932. The economic effects of WW1 had been severe for Germany as it had to repay $33 billion in damages. France wanted to economically cripple Germany so it would never be a military threat ever again.