Question

ARTICLE 231. The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their peoples have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies. –Treaty of Versailles, 1919 What is the main purpose of this article of the Treaty of Versailles? to define Germany’s territorial losses to establish Germany’s war guilt to describe Germany’s military disarmament to establish the League of Nations

Answer 1

Answer:  to establish Germany's war guilt

Details:

The Treaty of Versailles, which came out of the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, was very punitive towards Germany.  Germany was forced to admit responsibility for causing the Great War (World War I).  We now call that "the war guilt" clause of the treaty.   Since Germany was held responsible by that clause of the treaty, Germany also was forced to pay large reparation payments to the Allies (who opposed Germany in the war).  

The German economy and national pride were deeply wounded by the terms imposed by the Treaty of Versailles.  Coupled with that, the Great Depression (which had worldwide impact) made the economic situation even worse.  The bad situation in Germany made it possible for a radical leader like Hitler, making all sorts of bold promises, to win over enough people to rise to power.  Hitler promised a return to national greatness and fiercely rebuilt Germany as a military machine.  The rise of Hitler and the Nazis brought about World War II in Europe.

Answer 2

The correct answer here is to establish Germany's war guilt.

With this article, it is established clearly that the war was Germany's fault, and of her allies. Germany accepted this. What all of this means is that now as the both guilty and losing party Germany had to accept things the Allies demanded of her. The Allies had all the power in this negotiations.