On This Day…

World War I

January 10, 1920

Treaty of Versailles takes effect. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Forces. It required Germany to accept sole responsibility for starting the war. Many historians believe the harsh terms of this treaty led to World War II. Although the U.S. was among the signatories of the treaty, the U.S. Senate refused to consent to ratification of the treaty, due in large measure to its objections to U.S. participation in the League of Nations. A separate peace treaty between the U.S. and Germany was negotiated in 1921.