Britain and france insisted that germany pay a reimbursement of the the allies' financial costs for fighting the war.

After the end of World War I France, Great Britain, and the United States meet at Versailles in order to discuss what should happen to Germany. One of the most important conditions, especially to the French, was that Germany be held financial accountable for the destruction they caused during the war. This is known as a reparation. These reparations would help the allied powers pay for the costs of World War I. This form of punishment ends up being approved, but causes long term problems for the country of Germany.