1. To prevent Germany from starting another war. The Allies believed that Germany was responsible for starting World War I, and they wanted to take steps to ensure that it would not be able to do so again. This included disarming Germany, stripping it of its overseas colonies, and imposing reparations payments on it.
2. To hold Germany accountable for its actions during the war. The Allies were outraged by the atrocities that Germany had committed during the war, including the use of poison gas and the sinking of civilian ships. They wanted to hold Germany responsible for these crimes and to ensure that it would not be able to escape punishment.
3. To weaken Germany's economy and military. The Allies wanted to weaken Germany economically and militarily to prevent it from becoming a threat to Europe again. This included dismantling Germany's arms industry and reducing its military strength.
4. To promote peace and security in Europe. The Allies believed that by punishing Germany, they could help to create a more peaceful and secure future for Europe. They wanted to prevent Germany from regaining its former power and to promote cooperation between European nations.
While the Allies had legitimate reasons to punish Germany, the severity of the punishment they imposed contributed to the outbreak of World War II. The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which was imposed on Germany in 1919, left many Germans feeling resentful and humiliated, and it laid the groundwork for the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.