Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles

Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles, often called the "war guilt clause," declared that Germany and its allies were responsible for causing all the loss and damage suffered by the Allied nations during World War I. This clause was deeply resented in Germany, as most Germans did not believe their country was solely responsible for the war's outbreak.

The treaty, signed on June 28, 1919, imposed harsh terms on Germany, including territorial losses, severe military restrictions, and the obligation to pay reparations. These provisions, combined with the "war guilt" clause, fostered widespread bitterness and contributed to the weakening of the Weimar Republic, ultimately playing a role in the rise of German militarism in the 1930s.123