Which statement best compares the allies' strategy toward germany after world war i and after world war ii?
a. after world war i, germany was split into four parts and allowed to rebuild its economy; after world war ii, germany was forced to take total responsibility for the war and pay for all damages, which led to total economic disaster for the country.
b. after world war i, the allies attempted to appease germany by offering financial aid in order to improve its economy; after world war ii, the allies punished germany by splitting it into four parts controlled by britain, france, the soviet union, and the united states.
c. after world war i, allied punishments weakened germany's economy and left it vulnerable to the rise of hitler; after world war ii, the allies prevented germany from building an army while also providing financial aid so the country could rebuild its economy.
d. after world war i, the allies allowed germany to form a fascist government and maintain its army; after world war ii, the allies severely punished germany, which weakened its economy and humiliated the german people.
its c. '' to myself bc i got it wrong on an exam just to answer it for yall''

Correct  

C.After World War I, Allied punishments weakened Germany's economy and left it vulnerable to the rise of Hitler; after World War II, the Allies prevented Germany from building an army while also providing financial aid so the country could rebuild its economy.

Further details:

The Treaty of Versailles, which came out of the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, after World War I, was very punitive towards Germany.  Germany was forced to admit responsibility for causing the Great War (World War I).  We now call that "the war guilt" clause of the treaty.  Germany also was forced to pay large reparation payments to the Allies (who opposed Germany in the war).   The German economy and national pride were deeply wounded -- and the Great Depression made things worse.   The bad situation in Germany made it possible for a radical leader like Hitler, making all sorts of bold promises, to win over enough people to rise to power.  

In the aftermath of World War II, the Allies took a different approach.  The Marshall Plan (as it was called) was a $15 billion "European Recovery Program" that helped rebuild Germany and Western Europe after the war.  The economic aid program was named after its chief architect, US Secretary of State George Marshall.