USA HISTORY

Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles, known as the War Guilt Clause, was a statement that assigned responsibility for beginning World War I. It reads as follows:"The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies."According to the excerpt, who was responsible for World War I?

(A) Austro-Hungarian Empire

(B) Serbia

(C) ** Germany

(D) Russia

Concept note-1: -Overview. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, and officially ended the war between Germany and the Allied Powers. The controversial War Guilt clause blamed Germany for World War I and imposed heavy debt payments on Germany.

Concept note-2: -Perhaps the most humiliating portion of the treaty for defeated Germany was Article 231, commonly known as the “War Guilt Clause, ” which forced the German nation to accept complete responsibility for initiating World War I. Germany was required to make enormous reparation payments.

Concept note-3: -Article 231, commonly called the war guilt clause, required Germany to accept responsibility for causing “all the loss and damage” inflicted on the Allies.

Concept note-4: -Article 231, the War Guilt Clause blamed Germany and her allies for starting the war – this led to feelings of humiliation and anger. Germany had to pay reparations of £6.6 billion-this ensured that the economy would not recover. Germany’s armed forces were greatly reduced.

Concept note-5: -The War Guilt Clause of the Treaty of Versailles mandated that Germany assume responsibility for all damages incurred in the First World War.