Sometimes people are forced to fight to preserve their freedom and their lives. Sometimes they feel they are forced to choose between war and remaining in the shadows. But the years between the two world wars, characterized by social chaos and severe economic crisis, changed everything.
Russia Michael Stein
Looking at the first major war being fought in Europe since 1945, again a war started by an absolute dictator, comparing Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler is very tempting. And yet, there are some significant differences between the two, which offer some hope.
Because let's face it: If Putin were exactly like Hitler, he would just drop a few nuclear bombs and wash his hands of Ukraine. Since there is a lot of speculation about Putin's thoughts and history, and I don't have any unique knowledge or ideas in this area, I will focus on Hitler's War, where the reader will be able to compare Putin's actions, based on the most up-to-date information available.
Preparation
The war was planned early on. The basic plan can be found in Hitler's autobiography "Mein Kampf", published in 1925. He wanted to create an agro-industrial empire stretching to the Urals, the so-called "Third Reich", which was supposed to exist for a thousand years. The ruling elite would be racially pure. Jews would be killed or expelled. The most educated in the Slavic countries (Poland, Ukraine, Russia, etc.) would be eliminated, while the rest of the Slavic population would be enslaved.
The basic theories were: superior and inferior races, the German need for “Lebensraum” (living space, i.e. the need for more fertile land and resources). Sadly, the message of “Mein Kampf” was generally ignored. Although Churchill read an English translation of it around 1935-1936, and took it seriously.
Before he came to power and in his early years as chancellor, Hitler was a highly competent and ruthless politician. He was charismatic and persuasive. His anti-Semitic rhetoric waxed and waned depending on his audience. He implemented a successful economic program, reducing unemployment from 34 percent in January 1933 to near full employment by 1936.
A large part of the population had not supported the Nazis before 1933. Three years later, Hitler was re-elected to office with 99 percent of the vote. Preparations for war began in 1933. Spending on rearmament became a significant part of the German budget, but the amounts spent were kept secret to avoid fears of inflation.
In 1938 Germany was ready for war.
The start of the war
France and England threatened war, and the German army was nervous. The generals even planned a coup if the negotiations failed. But British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain allowed Hitler to take what he wanted, and France followed suit.
The Germans didn't want war, but Hitler did, so he made other demands. After Austria and part of Czechoslovakia on the list was Poland, or rather, the free city of Danzig/Gdansk. But this time Britain and France stood by their ally. On September 1, 1939, the war broke out.
It was initially unpopular in Germany (at least until the quick victories over Poland and France). At first, Hitler was an extremely capable war leader. But the flaws in the war plan soon began to emerge.
It was noticed that the ideology did not fit the reality. The English army escaped through Dunkirk, leaving behind much equipment. However, Britain was not ready to negotiate an armistice. It decided to fight, receiving more and more support from the USA.
Russia and the Holocaust
The next step in Hitler's plan was the invasion of Russia, launched in the summer of 1941. At first, everything went according to plan. But Russian resistance stiffened, and during the winter of 1941-1942, the German army came close to defeat. In December 1941, Germany declared war on the United States after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
The US strongly supported Great Britain, especially after the signing of the Lend-Lease Act in March 1941, which enabled the US government to supply war supplies, including free weapons and ammunition, to countries fighting against Germany and Japan.
However, the declaration of war meant that more and more supplies were being diverted to Russia and Britain, and that the American army itself would join the fight against Germany. The following year was the turning point of the war. German troops were defeated in November 1942 at the Second Battle of El Alamein.
Meanwhile, the German army surrendered at the gates of Stalingrad in February 1943. Thus began the long retreat from Russia. Something had to change in Hitler's war plans, perhaps in late 1942, when he realized that the war was lost. A reasonable choice would have been a long, protracted defense of the country, hoping that the Allies would be divided, and some kind of compromise peace would ensure Germany's survival.
This was the path Frederick II had taken when the Seven Years' War turned against him. There might have been a small chance later, if the horrors of the Holocaust had been avoided. But Hitler had not only decided to fight to the end, but had planned to destroy as much as possible.
Towards the end
The war continued, and the Germans remained loyal. Despite the blockades and heavy bombing, Germany's military production increased, reaching a peak in 1944. The standard of living of the citizens also remained relatively high until 1943. Food supplies were still sufficient in 1944.
In July 1944, when the successful Allied landings in Normandy and the Russian offensive made it clear that the war was lost, a group of high-ranking officers attempted a coup against Hitler, but failed. The majority of Germans continued to support Hitler and the Nazi regime until the end of 1944.
Indecisive justice and the tragedy of war
Germany capitulated in May 1945. Its leaders were prosecuted (most famously the Nuremberg trials), and some of the most active supporters of the Nazi regime and the military were convicted, but justice was generally not served. Very few Germans were prosecuted for the horrific atrocities committed on the Eastern Front.
On the other hand, neither Soviet soldiers were prosecuted for atrocities committed in Germany, nor the Allies for bombing German cities without any military significance. Part of the tragedy of World War II is that there was no reason for the Germans to start it.
Sometimes people are forced to fight to preserve their freedom and their lives. Sometimes they feel they are forced to choose between war and remaining in the shadows. But the years between the two world wars, characterized by social chaos and severe economic crisis, changed everything.
Lectures on today's war in Ukraine
1. Peace is not possible if one side is intent on war. But a tolerant approach can buy time for the side that wants peace. And it can use this time to strengthen its army and for its population to be more united.
2. A country with a highly complex economy can sustain modern wars, despite the disruption of trade ties and heavy bombing attacks.
3. The population and the army are supportive even in a losing war. A coup d'état or an uprising is unlikely (though surprises are possible).
4. The war aims of a leader or a government may differ from those publicly declared.
5. If a government or country has problems, war tends to be the wrong solution. War is likely to make problems worse, not solve them.
6. After the fighting ends, the goal should be peace. Justice may be possible, but peace must be the top priority. / “History of Yesterday” – Bota.al
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