 Germans viewed this clause as a national humiliation , forcing Germany to accept full responsibility for causing the war . German politicians were vocal in their opposition to the article in an attempt to generate international sympathy , while German historians worked to undermine the article with the objective of subverting the entire treaty . The Allied leaders were surprised at the German reaction ; they saw the article only as a necessary legal basis to extract compensation from Germany . The article , with the signatory 's name changed , was also included in the treaties signed by Germany 's allies who did not view the clause with the same disdain as the Germans did . American diplomat John Foster Dulles — one of the two authors of the article — later regretted the wording used , believing it further aggravated the German people . 
