The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, significantly affected the political landscape of Europe by formally ending World War I and imposing heavy reparations on Germany. The treaty redrew national boundaries and established new countries, leading to political instability and national grievances. Critics argue that the harsh terms contributed to economic hardships in Germany, fostering resentment that ultimately facilitated the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. The treaty is often viewed as a precursor to the geopolitical tensions leading to World War II.