Germans = Nazis?!?

General WWII era German military discussion that doesn't fit someplace more specific.
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Skorzeny
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Most Historians

Post by Skorzeny »

have debunked Goldhagen's writings. A very reputable historian set out to do this and actually published a book that picked apart most everything Goldhagen wrote. It was an excellent book. It's called a nation on trial and was written by Norman G. Finkelstein. have a great day!!!!
Zu Befehl!! Herr Feldmarshall
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RF
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Germans = Nazis

Post by RF »

This has always been quite of a sore subject with me. I don't find it at all amazing that a 10-year old would ask such a question, considering what is shown on television. I don't think one day goes by without Hitler or some other Nazi-related topic being shown on Cable TV. Based on television, one would surmise that German history began in 1933 and ended in 1945. I honestly wish the History Channel (& other similar channels) would give as much attention to Charlemagne, Luther, Goethe, Guttenberg, Von Stueben, ...the list can go on endlessly. My own family history is a complete paradox: My Aunt was a victim of euthanasia for a chronic medical condition while her younger brother joins the LAH a few months later. Both grandfathers were arrested for "treasonous" talk/activity - yet they both get drafted into the Volkssturm in 1945 (One died outside Berlin and the other returns home a "walking skeleton"). I study & research this era because it is an aspect of my family history that I cannot deny or alter. Yet I despise the Nazis for what they did to my family "make-up". Despite this, my love & interest of my German heritage in undeniable. When my friends & co-workers think it would be "cute" to make remarks, hand salutes, etc. regarding this topic, I simply take them aside and ask that they refrain from doing so again in a stern but polite manner. I recommend that all German-Americans do the same.

Regards,

RF
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Deutscher
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Post by Deutscher »

A German who is not a Nationalsozialist isnt a true German ( in opinion).
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Post by sid guttridge »

Hi Deutscher,

I take it that, despite your pseudonym, you are not a real German or you would have been proud to label yourself Nationalsozialist instead?

Cheers,

Sid
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Deutscher
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Post by Deutscher »

Natürlich bin ich ein "richtiger" Deutscher, und bekennender Nationalsozialist.
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Liam
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the Nazi party and the German armed forces

Post by Liam »

One factor that seperated the German Wehrmacht from its opponents during WWII (apart from the Red Army, of course) was the fact that all German troops wore the Nazi party symbol as part of their uniform. It meant that all troops were in some way associated with the party and its ideology. If you combine that with the oath of allegience to Hitler, then yes in a sense all German servicemen were 'nazis'.
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Germans vs Nazis

Post by Pat D »

The American people 60 years ago were not so "blasted" by the media nor were we such a global society as today and to many people Nazi simply meant a German, they just didn't know the difference. Until I really got interested in WWII 10 or 15 yrs ago, I had never really heard of the NSDAP even though I did well in history in school. If you read newspaper articles from the war or years after, the German govt, armed forces and in many cases, civilians are referred to as Nazis more often than not. Just a form of ignorance I guess...
C. Udentz

Germans=Nazis?!?

Post by C. Udentz »

In the Beginning.

Cheerful enterprize and innocent wonder, in a grey and oppressive world.

Not to be confused by the stupid, as violent or aggressive.

Cal Udentz.
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Don
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Post by Don »

This topic has been of interest to me my entire life. I grew up in a family very supportive of our German heritage despite black periods in its histroy. Given that I have two sons now under the age of 2, I intend on teaching them about its rich history. I'm fortunate, to have a branch of my family still in Germany. I have good relationship with them. I only wish that I spoke better German. Members of this branch and others fought for Germany during WWI and WWII.

I've been frustrated as most of you when people equate Germans with Nazis. Few people, I'm thinking of Americans in this case, take the time to understand what Germany was like after WWI. I realize that most lay persons don't have the time to learn more. Currently, I find it difficult to read more given my two young sons. Nevertheless when my godmother, no blood relation, visited she would make comments that Germany was finally "respectible" because of its stance of no war in Iraq. Her attitude is sad because it reflects no real understanding of the time period and assumes that Germany had nothing positive to contribute to history. Once her sister told me to down play my German heritage because it wasn't something of which to be proud. I guess the point of my verboseness is that when my boys get older, I'll try to expose them to as much German history as possible. I don't want them to get the limited version from local schools and lay persons with which they may associate.
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Will
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for once

Post by Will »

hi guys! :D
for once I find myself being in a position of agreeing at least in part with sids postings on the subject but I think fundamentally we are forgetting that hitler was voted into power by majority it was only after obtaining this power that he became a dictator, I do not agree that all germans were Nazis as was metioned earlier von stauffenberg and others rommel himself though not a member per se of the nasdp did carry out the orders of the regime as did 99.9% of every other german in uniform,

it is initself a potentially contentious issue, as most people have an opinion on the matter. the question is where does pride in ones nation end and true nazism start. to say that persecution is nothing new to the jews is true at least in part, but I think it is the scale of the persecution that separates the nazis from other historical anti-semites. to illustrate my point I am northern Irish I love my country and I am proud of my heritage, I have no love for the british occupation of NI but at the same time I would not dream of picking up arms against them!

also Liam makes an interesting point in what he says about the german uniform but I think one can wear the symbol and take an oath without really meaning or taking any notice of what that oath/uniform truly represents.

also I sincerly hope duetscher was not serious in his statement that one cannot be a true german and not a Nazi-what a load of bollocks!! thats like saying one isn't truly Irish unless your a fully paid up member of the Ira-yeah right!!!!

In essence then I think that all germans certainly were not nazis but certainley the vast majority did at one point in thier lives have even this was never mnade official or indeed spoken out loud some sympathy for thier leaders and in the early days probably a large degree of admiration!-peace


vergissmeinicht
Will


"Where The German Soldier Sets Foot, There He Remains"
Adolf Hitler-27 September 1942
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Post by Somosierra »

charlie don't surf wrote:No they were not. Germany was a nazi state and many people were nazis but not all of them. Perhaps it's a good idea to tell him about Stauffenberg, Rommel and the White Rose.

regards
Of course there were Germans who knew what Hitler’s hatred really means and where it could end…

But “Staufenbergs” were born when the total defeat of Germany was obvious.

And one more thing – what for fought Germans – for Germany? I don’t think so, maybe they thought like that, but they actually fought for maniac Adolf Hitler and his fellow maniacs.

Regards.
APOCALYPSIS IOANNIS 21, 8:
--
Timidis autem et incredulis et exsecratis et homicidis et fornicatoribus et veneficis et idololatris et omnibus mendacibus, pars illorum erit in stagno ardenti igne et sulphure, quod est mors secunda.
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Steve McKenna
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Germans = Naziz?

Post by Steve McKenna »

Just a few thoughts:

Hitler was not elected to power, he was appointed by Reichspresident Hindenburg. Hitler never recieved a majority vote in a free election; in fact he had "crested" in popularity and his % in the last election was starting to slip.

Hitler and the Nazis were able to neutralize and outmanuver their opponents once they got access to power, among other things, by quickly gaining control of the Interior Ministry and the police aparatus.

Stauffenberg was not the only or the first to try and get rid of Hitler. There had been multiple attempts to remove Hitler from power beginning prior to the start of the war. Unfortunately, they were plagued by "glitches" -- timers failing to detonate, last minute changes in schedule by Hitler, etc.
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Hitler's rise to power

Post by Pat D »

At the time of AH becoming chancellor, the German political scene was extremely fractionalized with a history of violent street battles over political convictions. Hitler was smart enough to know that the German people were sick of this and of all the parties, the NSDAP seemed to offer the best chance of restoring order and thats what accounted for a great deal of their popularity.
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Post by sid guttridge »

Hi Steve McKenna,

Spot on on all counts.

Cheers,

Sid.
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The Chief
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Post by The Chief »

I do find it amazing that some people still believe that Germany is a nation of Nazis. Even my girlfriend has this steriotype stuck in her head. I've tried to educate her on the subject, but to no avail, some people just don't realize that Hitler is dead, and that Germany has a democratic government.
Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with being a nationalist. It's good to be proud of our country. Socialism isn't bad either, it's just another idea of how to run things. National Socialism I don't think had to be a bad thing, it just sepends on the leaders policies. Racism in all it's forms is a bad thing, but are all right wingers Nazi-Wannabees?
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