: The Treaty of Versailles was actually a great deal milder than many people realise. The reparations that were levied on Germany worked out at a great deal less per year than those which Germany levied on France in 1871. Germany's territorial losses were slight and still left her as a great power in Central Europe. By contrast, when Russia surrendered to Germany in 1918, her territorial losses amounted to about a quarter of the country.

: Sean

Sure. Absolutely. But the German people and the Army wouldn't have compared and contrasted these things and come to the same conclusion. In their minds it was a simple matter that the Treaty placed all the blame on Germany, treating them as a dishonorable nation and the agressor of WWI. As was stated the German Army, upon hearing the terms of the Treaty, was ready to go back to war. It was a humiliation for Germany, despite what academics and politicians may have said to them about an honorable peace. It certainly wasn't the only reason WWII occured, but it definately played a role in Hitler's rise to power. He offered pride back to the German people and the German Army. In the end his pride was his downfall, as it was with Sauron . . . and the pride/humiliation question was the original point of this discussion.

-RobRoy