What was the purpose of the Treaty of Versailles?

The Treaty of Versailles was primarily designed to formally conclude World War I and to impose significant reparations and territorial losses on Germany. Signed in 1919, it marked the end of the conflict and sought to establish a framework for peace in Europe. The harsh reparations aimed at holding Germany responsible for the war were a key component of the treaty, reflecting the victors' desire for accountability following the devastation of the war.

In addition to ending the war, the Treaty of Versailles also laid the groundwork for future international relations, including the establishment of the League of Nations, but this was a secondary component rather than the main purpose. Thus, while it did aim to promote peace through collective security, its primary function was to resolve the conflict and impose penalties on Germany to ensure that they could not initiate further military aggression.

The other options, while they may touch on aspects of the treaty or its consequences, do not capture its fundamental aim. The treaty did not initiate World War II, but rather many historians argue that its punitive measures contributed to the conditions that led to the rise of Nazi Germany and the subsequent conflict. Similarly, while it altered some colonial territories following the war, this was part of broader peace negotiations rather than the treaty's primary purpose.