World War II was a devastating conflict that shocked people at the time, especially in Europe which hadn't fully recovered from the First World War. The lead-ups to both wars are linked, where German frustration over lack of prestige and power played a crucial role. The peace agreement of World War I heavily punished Germany, leading to crippling war reparations and territorial losses. However, the agreement was poorly designed, not forgiving enough to bring Germany into the fold nor harsh enough to prevent Germany from seeking revenge. American President Woodrow Wilson aimed to prevent similar causes from leading to another war by suggesting the creation of a League of Nations.