The Treaty of Versailles imposed severe penalties and reparations on Germany after World War I, significantly reshaping the nation's political and economic landscape. Signed in 1919, the treaty included territorial losses, the demilitarization of the Rhineland, and restrictions on the German military. Germany was held responsible for the war (Article 231) and forced to pay substantial reparations to the Allied powers. The treaty's harsh terms fostered widespread resentment among Germans, contributing to economic turmoil and political instability. Ultimately, these conditions played a role in the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, setting the stage for World War II.