How did the Treaty of Versailles limit Germany's military?

To ensure Germany would not again pose a military threat, the Treaty of Versailles imposed severe restrictions on its armed forces:

• Army: The German army was limited to 100,000 men, and the general staff was abolished.12
• Equipment: The production of tanks, poison gas, armored cars, and military aircraft was strictly prohibited. Only a limited number of factories were permitted to manufacture munitions.12
• Navy: The navy was significantly reduced, restricted to 15,000 men, six battleships, and 30 smaller vessels. The construction of submarines was absolutely forbidden.1
• Demilitarization: The Rhineland—the area west of the Rhine River and a 31-mile (50 km) strip to its east—was permanently demilitarized to serve as a buffer zone.132

These measures were intended to be the first step toward broader international disarmament, though they ultimately fostered deep resentment within Germany.12