Final answer:
The Treaty of Versailles contributed to World War II by imposing punitive conditions on Germany that led to economic hardship, national humiliation, and a desire for revenge, which fueled the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, ultimately resulting in German aggression and global conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Treaty of Versailles played a significant role in laying the groundwork for World War II. The treaty's punitive measures against Germany, including the 'war guilt clause', reparations, and territorial losses, fostered resentment and economic hardship that contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
Appeasement strategies applied by France and Great Britain allowed Hitler to further expand his forces and violate additional provisions of the Versailles Treaty. This policy of appeasement was partly based on a belief that some of the treaty's provisions were too harsh. However, it eventually led to the full-scale aggression of Nazi Germany against multiple nations, setting the stage for global conflict.