Why were the Germans called Huns in the first World War, and Krauts in the second?

Answer 1

During the Boxer Rebellion in China, Kaiser Wilhelm II gave the order to "make the name 'German' remembered in China for a thousand years, so that no Chinaman will ever again dare to even squint at a German". This speech, wherein Wilhelm invoked the memory of the 5th-century Huns, coupled with the Pickelhaube or spiked helmet worn by German forces until 1916, that was reminiscent of ancient Hun helmets, gave rise to the later derogatory English usage of the latter term for their German enemy during World War I. This usage was reinforced by Allied propaganda throughout the war, prompting hatred of the Germans by invoking the idea that they were brutal savages. The usage resurfaced during World War II.

Since World War II, Kraut has, in the American English language, come to be used as a derogatory term for a German. This is probably based on Sauerkraut, which was very popular in German cuisine at that time. The stereotype of the sauerkraut-eating German dates back to long before this time, though, as can for example be seen in Jules Verne's depiction of the evil German industrialist Schultz as an avid sauerkraut eater in "The Begum's Millions".

Answer 2

During World War I the Germans were called Huns as a derogatory term refering to the medieval barbarian tribe the Huns. Krauts (for saurkraut) wasn't used during World War I because the U.S. propoganda machine of the day had determined that saurkraut would be called "liberty cabbage". A hamburger was called a "liberty sandwhich".

There's a town in PA called "Pershing", before World War I it was called Germantown.

Answer 3

Huns - because during the Boxer rebellion the Kaiser told his troops to behave like the Huns. Krauts? Don't know

Answer 4

The Huns were from the 5th century; very barbaric. Attila was the boss. So when someone uses the word Hun or Attila it is usually derogatory for being very right wing and barbaric.

Protestants in the North of Ireland are called Huns today.

Answer 5

Both were derogatory terms used by their opponents to dehumanize them, and thus justify killing them. The Huns were murderous, treacherous barbarians (remember Attila?). Germany in WWI was considered treacherous primarily for overruning neutral Belgium to get at the weak point in the French defenses. This was a violation of both treaty and convention.
In WWII, the Germans were referred to as "krauts" as a short version of "kraut-eaters" - referring to their diet of fermented cabbage, sauerkraut. In the same way the British referred to the French as "frog-eaters", or more simply, "frogs."

Answer 6

"Krauts" comes from the german word Sauerkraut, a kind of cabbage dish. It's a cliché that all germans love to eat Sauerkraut, so the english used it as a derogatory term for the germans.

Answer 7

THats jerry in the 1st and hun or kraut in the 2nd. changing sentiments and different stream of opinion

Answer 8

so that nobody would recognise them, you know! like a fake mustache and glasses, they changed there names to suprise people, and it worked to start with untill churchill was like hy you over there, my hun!!! take off you mustache and glasses and he was like actung libre then churchill was like what the **** you krout mother fu78er ima kick yo ***, then when he did vryone sat down and had ice cream!! thats exactly how it happend.