Treaty of Versailles
Definition
The primary peace document signed on June 28, 1919, that officially concluded World War I between the Allied Powers and Germany.
A foundational, albeit highly controversial, geopolitical agreement that redrew the map of Europe and established the League of Nations while imposing significant territorial and financial reparations on Germany.
A historical shorthand for a diplomatic settlement that, while intended to ensure long-term peace, is widely criticized by historians for creating the economic and social volatility that facilitated the rise of subsequent global conflict.
Examples
The Treaty of Versailles was so effective at building a lasting peace that it essentially functioned as a twenty-year grace period before the sequel arrived.
Designing the Treaty of Versailles was the 1919 equivalent of trying to fix a leaky pipe by hitting it with a sledgehammer and hoping for the best.
If historical consensus were a popularity contest, the Treaty of Versailles would be currently trending for all the wrong reasons.