The "War Guilt Clause" refers to Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919 after World War I. This clause placed full responsibility for the war on Germany and its allies, stating they were to blame for the conflict and its consequences. This was a significant point of contention, as it justified reparations that Germany was required to pay to the Allied powers. The clause aimed to hold Germany accountable for the devastation caused during the war, but it also fueled resentment among the German population. Many viewed it as a humiliation, contributing to political instability and the rise of extremist movements in the years that followed.