World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, at the Paris Peace Conference.

“Negotiated among the Allied powers with little participation by Germany, its 15 parts and 440 articles reassigned German boundaries and assigned liability for reparations. After strict enforcement for five years, the French assented to the modification of important provisions. Germany agreed to pay reparations under the Dawes Plan and the Young Plan, but those plans were cancelled in 1932, and Hitler’s rise to power and subsequent actions rendered moot the remaining terms of the treat,” from history.com.

At Palace of Versailles in Paris, the treaty marking the close of World War I was signed by representatives of the Allied Powers and of Germany, June 28, 1919 in Paris, France. (AP Photo)ASSOCIATED PRESS

The treaty included 15 parts. The first part created the League of Nations, which Germany was not allowed to join until 1926. Other parts rearranged Germany’s boundaries, created a demilitarized zone, stripped Germany of its colonies and prohibited Germany from possessing certain weapons.

The treaty also included what is called the “war guilt clause.”

“This clause forced the German national to accept complete responsibility for starting World War I. As such, Germany was to be held liable for all material damages,” according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia.

Germany signed the treaty under protest, according to history.com.

The U.S. Senate would not ratify the treaty.

“For five years the French and the Belgians tried to enforce the treaty quite rigorously, leading in 1922 to their occupation of the Ruhr. In 1924, however, Anglo-American financial pressure compelled France to scale down its goals and end the occupation, and the French assented to modifying important provisions of the treaty in a series of new agreements,” from history.com.

Germany had agreed to pay reparations but the Great Depression in 1932 led to cancellation of those reparations.

In 1935 Hitler denounced the entire treaty. In 1939 he attacked Poland.

Allied leaders and officials gather in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles for the signing of the peace Treaty of Versailles in France on June 28, 1919. The peace treaty mandate for Germany, negotiated during the Paris Peace Conference in Jan., is represented by Allied leaders French premier George Clemenceau, standing, center; U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, seated at left; Italian foreign minister Giorgio Sinnino; and British prime minister Lloyd George. (AP Photo)AP

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