<P> The treaty was comprehensive and complex in the restrictions imposed upon the post-war German armed forces (the Reichswehr). The provisions were intended to make the Reichswehr incapable of offensive action and to encourage international disarmament . Germany was to demobilize sufficient soldiers by 31 March 1920 to leave an army of no more than 100,000 men in a maximum of seven infantry and three cavalry divisions . The treaty laid down the organisation of the divisions and support units, and the General Staff was to be dissolved . Military schools for officer training were limited to three, one school per arm, and conscription was abolished . Private soldiers and Non-commissioned officers were to be retained for at least twelve years and officers for a minimum of 25 years, with former officers being forbidden to attend military exercises . To prevent Germany from building up a large cadre of trained men, the number of men allowed to leave early was limited . </P> <P> The number of civilian staff supporting the army was reduced and the police force was reduced to its pre-war size, with increases limited to population increases; paramilitary forces were forbidden . The Rhineland was to be demilitarized, all fortifications in the Rhineland and 50 kilometres (31 miles) east of the river were to be demolished and new construction was forbidden . Military structures and fortifications on the islands of Heligoland and Düne were to be destroyed . Germany was prohibited from the arms trade, limits were imposed on the type and quantity of weapons and prohibited from the manufacture or stockpile of chemical weapons, armoured cars, tanks and military aircraft . The German navy was allowed six pre-dreadnought battleships and was limited to a maximum of six light cruisers (not exceeding 6,000 long tons (6,100 t)), twelve destroyers (not exceeding 800 long tons (810 t)) and twelve torpedo boats (not exceeding 200 long tons (200 t)) and was forbidden submarines . The manpower of the navy was not to exceed 15,000 men, including manning for the fleet, coast defences, signal stations, administration, other land services, officers and men of all grades and corps . The number of officers and warrant officers was not allowed to exceed 1,500 men . Germany surrendered eight battleships, eight light cruisers, forty - two destroyers, and fifty torpedo boats for decommissioning . Thirty - two auxiliary ships were to be disarmed and converted to merchant use . Article 198 prohibited Germany from having an air force, including naval air forces, and required Germany to hand over all aerial related materials . In conjunction, Germany was forbidden to manufacture or import aircraft or related material for a period of six months following the signing of the treaty . </P> <P> In Article 231 Germany accepted responsibility for the losses and damages caused by the war "as a consequence of the...aggression of Germany and her allies ." The treaty required Germany to compensate the Allied powers, and it also established an Allied "Reparation Commission" to determine the exact amount which Germany would pay and the form that such payment would take . The commission was required to "give to the German Government a just opportunity to be heard", and to submit its conclusions by 1 May 1921 . In the interim, the treaty required Germany to pay an equivalent of 20 billion gold marks ($5 billion) in gold, commodities, ships, securities or other forms . The money would help to pay for Allied occupation costs and buy food and raw materials for Germany . </P> <P> To ensure compliance, the Rhineland and bridgeheads east of the Rhine were to be occupied by Allied troops for fifteen years . If Germany had not committed aggression, a staged withdrawal would take place; after five years, the Cologne bridgehead and the territory north of a line along the Ruhr would be evacuated . After ten years, the bridgehead at Coblenz and the territories to the north would be evacuated and after fifteen years remaining Allied forces would be withdrawn . If Germany reneged on the treaty obligations, the bridgeheads would be reoccupied immediately . </P>

Who was blamed for ww1 in the treaty of versailles