Treaty of Versailles

28 June 1919 · Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles, France

Europe & world wars

Background

Signed five years to the day after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine to France, land to Poland and all its colonies; its army was limited to 100,000 men and the Rhineland was demilitarized. US President Wilson's ideas shaped the League of Nations, but the US Senate never ratified the treaty.

Signed by

Germany and the Allied Powers

Why it matters

Ended the First World War with Germany: Germany lost territory, was disarmed, paid reparations and accepted the 'war guilt' clause (Article 231). It also created the League of Nations; its harsh terms are seen as a cause of the Second World War.