Article 231

Definition

Known as the "War Guilt Clause," it was part of the Treaty of Versailles and stated that Germany and Austria were responsible for starting World War I and had to pay reparations.

Related terms

Reparations: Payments made by defeated countries after a war to compensate victorious countries for damages caused during the war. In this case, imposed on Germany by Article 231.

Treaty of Versailles: The peace treaty signed at the end of World War I which included Article 231, placing blame on Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Weimar Republic: The democratic government founded in Germany post-WWI which struggled due to economic burdens from reparations required by Article 231.