In school, when I was educated about the war, Germany is construed as this bully that no one stands up to. I remember having the impression that the rest of Europe just lacked the courage to fight back, opting for appeasement instead. I remember being taught that Nazi Germany only appeared strong -- but that inside was a crumbling, weak core. Like a bully who would crumple in a real fight.
I remember being taught that countries that are evil cannot be also strong. I remember being taught that the Soviet Union was similar -- it was evil, and therefore weak, and that's why it ultimately collapsed.
Thinking back, I was obviously indoctrinated. The truth was, Germany was strong. Evil, and strong. Just look at the numbers. All the other theaters of the war pale in comparison to the Eastern Front.
It seems like such a massive mistake of Hitler to attack the USSR. I wonder what the world would look like today had he not...
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I grew up in the United States.
In school, when I was educated about the war, Germany is construed as this bully that no one stands up to. I remember having the impression that the rest of Europe just lacked the courage to fight back, opting for appeasement instead. I remember being taught that Nazi Germany only appeared strong -- but that inside was a crumbling, weak core. Like a bully who would crumple in a real fight.
I remember being taught that countries that are evil cannot be also strong. I remember being taught that the Soviet Union was similar -- it was evil, and therefore weak, and that's why it ultimately collapsed.
Thinking back, I was obviously indoctrinated. The truth was, Germany was strong. Evil, and strong. Just look at the numbers. All the other theaters of the war pale in comparison to the Eastern Front.
It seems like such a massive mistake of Hitler to attack the USSR. I wonder what the world would look like today had he not...