The Treaty of Versailles contributed significantly to the outbreak of World War II through several key factors:

• War Guilt Clause and Blame on Germany: The treaty included a "war guilt clause" (Article 231) that placed full responsibility for World War I on Germany. This clause humiliated Germany and fostered deep resentment among its people, who felt unfairly blamed and targeted. This resentment was a powerful tool that Adolf Hitler later exploited to rally nationalist support and justify rearmament and aggression

• Harsh Reparations: Germany was required to pay enormous reparations-initially set at $33 billion (equivalent to hundreds of billions in today's dollars)-which devastated its economy. The reparations caused hyperinflation, economic chaos, and widespread poverty, undermining the Weimar Republic and creating fertile ground for extremist political movements like the Nazis

• Military Restrictions and Disarmament: The treaty drastically limited Germany's military capabilities, including the reduction of its army, prohibition of tanks, aircraft, and submarines, and the demilitarization of the Rhineland. While intended to prevent future aggression, these restrictions left Germans feeling vulnerable and humiliated, fueling nationalist and revanchist sentiments

• Territorial Losses: Germany lost significant territory, including Alsace-Lorraine to France and all overseas colonies. Millions of ethnic Germans were separated into other countries. These territorial changes caused nationalistic anger and a desire to reverse the treaty's terms

• Political Instability: The treaty's severe terms destabilized the German government, weakened democratic institutions, and contributed to the rise of extremist parties, particularly the Nazi Party. Hitler's aggressive policies and rejection of the treaty's terms led Germany to remilitarize, reclaim lost territories, and ultimately invade Poland, triggering World War II

In summary, the Treaty of Versailles created economic hardship, national humiliation, and political instability in Germany, which directly facilitated the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime. Their aggressive repudiation of the treaty and expansionist ambitions led to the outbreak of World War II