Which of the following was a major feature of the Treaty of Versailles?

• A. It restored all German territories and military strength.
• B. It forestalled any postwar economic reparations.
• C. It included the War Guilt Clause assigning responsibility for the war to Germany and its allies.
• D. It granted Germany immediate membership in the League of Nations.

Answer: (C)

The major idea being tested is how the Treaty of Versailles used blame to shape its terms. The War Guilt Clause explicitly placed responsibility for starting World War I on Germany and its allies, which provided the legal and moral basis for demanding reparations and imposing strict penalties. This clause had lasting impact because it framed German defeat as a guilt-bearing crime, fueling economic hardship and political instability in the Weimar Republic and helping to feed nationalist resentment that contributed to future conflict. In contrast, the treaty did not restore German territories or military strength; it imposed territorial losses and harsh military restrictions. It did not forestall reparations; it set them and required payment. And it did not grant Germany immediate League of Nations membership; Germany was excluded at first and only joined later.