The major outcome of the Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, was the imposition of harsh penalties and reparations on Germany following World War I. The treaty aimed to hold Germany accountable for the war's devastation and included significant territorial losses for Germany, restrictions on its military capabilities, and mandatory reparations payments. This punitive approach fostered deep resentment among the German population and contributed to economic instability in the country. The Treaty is widely regarded as a factor that led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the outbreak of World War II, as it failed to create a sustainable peace in Europe.