How did the peace settlement after World War I lead to World War II?

The peace
settlements after World War I (1914€“1918) led directly to World War II (1939€“1945) because
they were too punitive in nature. The victorious nations were headed by three leaders: Woodrow
Wilson for the United States, Georges Clemenceau for France, and David Lloyd George for the
United Kingdom. Italy, which had fought on the winning side, played a somewhat lesser
role.

Wilson had hoped to bring about reconciliation with a moderate peace
treaty. But he was opposed by the British, French, and Italian delegations. Those countries had
suffered enormous casualties, so a lenient treaty was not politically feasible for their
leaders.

The losers of World War I were forced to sign harsh...