The signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 contributed significantly to the onset of World War II. This treaty formally ended World War I and imposed harsh penalties and reparations on Germany. It redrew borders, limited the size of the German military, and established the League of Nations in hopes of preventing future conflicts. However, the punitive measures led to economic hardship and political unrest in Germany, fostering resentment and nationalism. These conditions contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, ultimately setting the stage for the outbreak of World War II in 1939.