One of the most momentous events of the 20th century took place 100 years ago today, one which would dictate future events for decades - the signing of the Treaty of Versailles between the victorious Allies and Germany.

The signing took place in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles with 27 Allied nations taking part.

The details are too complex to go into here, but the main points were -

Germany lost 25,000 sq miles (13%) and seven million people in boundary changes; mostly to Poland, but territory was also lost to France and Denmark who regained land lost to Prussia in wars in the 19th century; Belgium, Lithuania and Czechoslovakia also gained territory. Danzig and Saarland were to be administered by the newly formed League of Nations prior to plebisites on their future. Allied troops to remain in the Rhineland for 15 years.

Germany lost all of her overseas colonies to the Allies or to League of Nations mandates.

Germany to pay reparations to the Allies.

The German military to be limited to 115,000 (100,000 Army, 15,000 Navy) with no tanks, aircraft, heavy artillery or submarines and no conscription.

Germany to accept responsibilty for the war.

The establishment of the League of Nations.

Needless to say the there were some who thought the terms too harsh and predicted a resumption of the war within 20 years.

It was signed exactly five years to the day after the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand which precipitated the First World War.