Final answer:
The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, leading to resentment and discontent among the German people, which Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party exploited to start World War II.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Treaty of Versailles played a role in starting World War II by imposing harsh penalties on Germany, which led to resentment and discontent among the German people. The treaty blamed Germany for starting the war, imposed massive reparations payments, and took away German territories and colonies. These conditions created economic instability and a sense of injustice, which Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party exploited to gain popular support and ultimately launch the war.