...Treaty of Versailles (1919) was the “Guilt Clause” or the "War Guilt Clause", in which Germany was forced to take complete responsibility for starting World War I or face renewed warfare. This simply served to anger the Germans and ensure that they would seek revenge. Created as a result of much animosity between Germany and France as well as Germany and the United Kingdom. The United States did not play as active a role, mostly due to President Woodrow Wilson's principle of "peace without victory". It involved a number of provisions. The German Army was limited to no more than 100,000 men with limited firepower. The German Navy was limited to six warships, and a corresponding number of other specific ships. Germany was also not allowed to possess any submarines or aircraft. The fortifications that Germany possessed in Heligoland were to be dissolved. The 30-mile wide demilitarized zone known as the "Rhineland" was created. The German rivers were to be nationalized and allow all ships to pass through. The former German emperor and other "offenders" were to be tried and convicted. Germany was to pay both civilian damage and occupation costs, which would total up to $33 billion that were to be paid over the following 30 years. In addition, all German merchant vessels over 1600 tons, half of the vessels between 800 and 1600 tons, and 25% of the German fishing fleet was to be seized. They were to build over 200,000 tons of shipping to be delivered to the victors for five years annually. Coal was to be shipped to France, Belgium, and Italy for ten years. Finally, Germany was required to consent the sale of its land. The Treaty of Versailles of 1919 was the peace treaty which officially ended World War I between the Allied and Associated Powers and Germany. ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... In moral philosophy, the word responsibility has at least two related meanings: The obligation to answer for actions. ... Combatants Entente Powers Central Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties > 5 million military deaths > 3 million military deaths {{{notes}}} World War I, also known as the First World War and (before 1939) the Great War, the War of the Nations, War to End All Wars, was a world... The Rhineland (Rheinland in German) is the general name for the land on both sides of the river Rhine in the west of Germany. ... Nationalization is the act of taking assets into state ownership. ...

"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. "