Well my friends, we are nearing what is perhaps my favorite chapter in American history. Moving into World War II, many of my friends have made comments along the lines of, "It all felt very distant until my cousins started going off to war." It wasn't until the bombing of Pearl Harbor that far-off conflicts were truly brought to American soil. Thus, it can be argued that the American perspective of World War II did not begin until 1941.
Before we start talking about individual stories and reflections, it is worthwhile to explore the world events that led up to WW II. I recently talked with my brother, Dave, who graduated with a major in history from the highly prestigious United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. If anyone can provide me with insight into past events of consequence, he can.
Especially compared to today, the world was an entirely different place in 1900. The United States did not exist in any degree as a world power; our military strength was minimal at best. Germany was, by far, the most populous country in Europe, and only lagged behind the United States by some 20 million people. Also, Germany was a fairly young country, having only recently formed as a nation-state in 1871 amid the Franco-Prussian War.
The First World War spanned from 1914 to 1918, and was the direct cause of World War II. The Great War introduced such technological developments as the machine gun and submarines, and widespread use of chemical weapons like mustard gas. WW I was an incredibly costly war - almost unfathomable by today's standards. Sixty million European troops were mobilized from 1914 to 1918, resulting in some 20 MILLION deaths. There still are places in France where you cannot walk because of unexploded ordnance left from WW I.
One of the most crucial aspects of the First World War was that Germany never actually was beaten on the battlefield - the Allies never insisted on Germany's unconditional surrender. In fact, toward the end of WW I, Germany actually experienced a number of victories. The German populace began to expect at least a partial victory, if not total victory. Thus, it came as a shock when far-sighted German military leaders, realizing they never actually could win, sued for peace. The German army was marched home with pride, drums beating, to a country that had been neither occupied nor beaten.
When Germany sued for peace, the world was livid with her. Germany's massively destructive campaign in France had stripped the country of its resources, cattle and infrastructure. Military tactics had been used that infuriated the Allies, like the highly successful U-Boats. In the early 1900s, submarine warfare was viewed as dastardly, wicked and sneaky. Germany also was the first country to make widespread use of chemical and gas weapons, which were viewed by British Lt. Gen. Ferguson as, "A cowardly form of warfare" (However, the Allies soon developed their own chemical weapons). Thus, when the Armistice was called, retributions for Germany went beyond harsh. Keep in mind this was a country that never was officially beaten, or occupied. It was said that when Germany sued for peace, (then) Lance Corporal Adolf Hitler wept in his bunk - the only other time he did so was when his mother died.
The Treaty of Versailles set harsh sanctions on Germany. Among other things, the German military was nearly disbanded, and production of U-Boats was ordered to halt. Germany became fiscally responsible for the damages it caused during the war - more than $6 billion, an inconceivable sum even at the time. Germany was forced to relinquish lands it had obtained as early as the Franco-Prussian War, including overseas colonies, thereby reducing her territory by 15 percent - keep in mind, Germany already was the most populated country in Europe. Eventually, some of these retributions were suspended or canceled due to the harsh nature of the Treaty.
In the years between WW I and WW II, Germany fell into economic chaos. German currency became so worthless it was burned, or given to children to play with. A brief stint with democracy failed, and a new party began to take hold. As Adolf Hitler rose to power, it is important to keep in mind several points: First, Germany was a relatively young country - the idea of national pride was a new one. Second, Germany felt abused and unfairly beaten following the Treaty of Versailles - as though territory that belonged to her burgeoning population was unjustly snatched. Third, was the popular (but untrue) notion of being "stabbed in the back" by the German population. Successful businesses, Jews, and war profiteers were blamed (unfairly) for Germany's military defeat.
All of these ingredients, when utilized effectively and efficiently by the rising Nazi party, paved the way for a certain fiery, articulate and upcoming political leader to re-establish Germany's presence on the world map. Starting was the desire to re-take lands viewed as German by origin. Thus, the Nazi party looked east for needed "Lebensraum," or living space, to expand its burgeoning population and acquire needed raw materials.
Germany's desire to expand east would tie up Western focus in Europe, opening the door for a certain Pacific nation to realize its own craving for imperial expansion.
- Dan Wegmueller of Monroe writes a weekly column for Friday editions of the Times. He can be reached at dwegs@tds.net.
Before we start talking about individual stories and reflections, it is worthwhile to explore the world events that led up to WW II. I recently talked with my brother, Dave, who graduated with a major in history from the highly prestigious United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. If anyone can provide me with insight into past events of consequence, he can.
Especially compared to today, the world was an entirely different place in 1900. The United States did not exist in any degree as a world power; our military strength was minimal at best. Germany was, by far, the most populous country in Europe, and only lagged behind the United States by some 20 million people. Also, Germany was a fairly young country, having only recently formed as a nation-state in 1871 amid the Franco-Prussian War.
The First World War spanned from 1914 to 1918, and was the direct cause of World War II. The Great War introduced such technological developments as the machine gun and submarines, and widespread use of chemical weapons like mustard gas. WW I was an incredibly costly war - almost unfathomable by today's standards. Sixty million European troops were mobilized from 1914 to 1918, resulting in some 20 MILLION deaths. There still are places in France where you cannot walk because of unexploded ordnance left from WW I.
One of the most crucial aspects of the First World War was that Germany never actually was beaten on the battlefield - the Allies never insisted on Germany's unconditional surrender. In fact, toward the end of WW I, Germany actually experienced a number of victories. The German populace began to expect at least a partial victory, if not total victory. Thus, it came as a shock when far-sighted German military leaders, realizing they never actually could win, sued for peace. The German army was marched home with pride, drums beating, to a country that had been neither occupied nor beaten.
When Germany sued for peace, the world was livid with her. Germany's massively destructive campaign in France had stripped the country of its resources, cattle and infrastructure. Military tactics had been used that infuriated the Allies, like the highly successful U-Boats. In the early 1900s, submarine warfare was viewed as dastardly, wicked and sneaky. Germany also was the first country to make widespread use of chemical and gas weapons, which were viewed by British Lt. Gen. Ferguson as, "A cowardly form of warfare" (However, the Allies soon developed their own chemical weapons). Thus, when the Armistice was called, retributions for Germany went beyond harsh. Keep in mind this was a country that never was officially beaten, or occupied. It was said that when Germany sued for peace, (then) Lance Corporal Adolf Hitler wept in his bunk - the only other time he did so was when his mother died.
The Treaty of Versailles set harsh sanctions on Germany. Among other things, the German military was nearly disbanded, and production of U-Boats was ordered to halt. Germany became fiscally responsible for the damages it caused during the war - more than $6 billion, an inconceivable sum even at the time. Germany was forced to relinquish lands it had obtained as early as the Franco-Prussian War, including overseas colonies, thereby reducing her territory by 15 percent - keep in mind, Germany already was the most populated country in Europe. Eventually, some of these retributions were suspended or canceled due to the harsh nature of the Treaty.
In the years between WW I and WW II, Germany fell into economic chaos. German currency became so worthless it was burned, or given to children to play with. A brief stint with democracy failed, and a new party began to take hold. As Adolf Hitler rose to power, it is important to keep in mind several points: First, Germany was a relatively young country - the idea of national pride was a new one. Second, Germany felt abused and unfairly beaten following the Treaty of Versailles - as though territory that belonged to her burgeoning population was unjustly snatched. Third, was the popular (but untrue) notion of being "stabbed in the back" by the German population. Successful businesses, Jews, and war profiteers were blamed (unfairly) for Germany's military defeat.
All of these ingredients, when utilized effectively and efficiently by the rising Nazi party, paved the way for a certain fiery, articulate and upcoming political leader to re-establish Germany's presence on the world map. Starting was the desire to re-take lands viewed as German by origin. Thus, the Nazi party looked east for needed "Lebensraum," or living space, to expand its burgeoning population and acquire needed raw materials.
Germany's desire to expand east would tie up Western focus in Europe, opening the door for a certain Pacific nation to realize its own craving for imperial expansion.
- Dan Wegmueller of Monroe writes a weekly column for Friday editions of the Times. He can be reached at dwegs@tds.net.
