What were the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles expected to achieve regarding the German economy?

The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, imposed severe reparations and territorial losses on Germany following World War I, which were intended to hold Germany accountable for the war. The expectation was that these harsh terms would significantly weaken Germany's economy. The reparations demanded were enormous and were aimed at crippling Germany to the point where it could not engage in future military aggression. Such a strategy was thought to ensure that Germany would be less capable of reviving its economy and reemerging as a dominant power in Europe.

The intent behind these economic devastations was to provide a form of security for other nations, particularly those that had suffered at the hands of German militarism during the war. The architects of the Treaty believed that by destabilizing the German economy, they would create a balance of power that would prevent future conflicts. This expectation, however, ultimately contributed to economic chaos in Germany and set the stage for the rise of extremist political movements in the following decades.