Are Americans cowards like the Germans?

Question

There are striking parallels between the attitude of Americans today to their government and the attitude of the Germans in the 1920s and 1930s to theirs. The Germans were afraid to question if what they were told by their government was the truth or not, refused to see the truth behind the Reichstag Fire, (9/11) refused to see the invasion by Poland (Iraq) was a staged fake, and followed Hitler (Bush) into national disaster.
http://www.serendipity.li/wot/senhorsan01.htm

Answer 1

I don't think it's fear so much as it is complacency. Americans in general don't fear their government but rather they follow blindly. Television is a big part of keeping them appeased. Just get them hooked American Idol, Fast food, Instant access to all of their desires and they become as docile as sheep (as smart too). Other than that your parallel to pre-war Germany is something to be considered seriously.

Answer 2

First of all the Germans were not cowards neither are we Americans. There are no parallels between Americans today and Germans of the 1920s or30s. Hitlers Germany was a very different world than we are experiencing today.His propaganda machine was one of the best. Few people had even t.v.s. Radio and newspapers were the way people recieved communication and news about what was going on in the world. Germans did not question as they had no way of knowning what was true or not, they did not refuse to look behind the Reichstag Fire, the invasion of Poland as they had no clue! Remember also Hitler started brainwashing children at a very young age and were brought up not to question. This was the mind set of the general German population. However there were a few that got the picture such as Eienstin, and others. These people did question, and they either left the country or were killed ! Today there is so much information out there that during times of war such as Iraq, and Vietnam. Cameras are rolling real time. With the internet etc. etc. news is transmitted in seconds. Today people question everything . An Example of this Is The pictures taken at the prison in Iraq. In the old days People would have never had a clue as to what was going on! Oh and by the way there is nothing staged or fake, whether it was back in Germany or now in Iraq about an invasion! Lots of innocent lives were lost in both instances, as well as military. Hitler was the coward, Bush is not. Hitler drew first blood! Bush did not draw first blood, first blood was drawn on us!

Answer 3

When I think of cowards, I think of Robin Williams' impersonation of a Frenchman in his 2004 video:

"You stupid Americans...you tick us all off and....oh no! The Germans are coming... AMERICA WE LOVE YOU!!!"

Seriously, though, I don't necessarily see strong parallels, but your point is well-taken. Indeed, there is an atmosphere of fear, although dissent is far stronger in contemporary America than it was in Nazi Germany. Also, Nazi Germany had a more charismatic leader (whereas ours is considered anything but) and was dealing with profound economic and morale woes (whereas we're chugging along nicely).

I would in fact say that, given the number of titles published in recent years (and their sales) regarding discontent over the War on Terror (and entertaining even conspiracy theories implication the Bush family), dissent is rampant.

Moreover, it is not appropriate to draw parallels between the Reichstag Fire and 9/11 - the former was one of very many events either planned or spun in the press to enrage sentiment against the Jews, while 9/11 was somewhat isolated. As of 9/10/01, how much sabre-rattling had there been made about Afghanistan (there was some about Iraq). Moreover, Iraq was far from helpless, while the Jewish people (as well as the others under the Nazi thumb) were not as fortunate. Furthermore, it's a political question today (no matter how badly phrased) while it was a racial question then (though phrased politically)>

I disagree with you, strongly, that the invasion of Poland was a staged fake. It certainly didn't feel that way to the Poles. Yes, Poland's military was laughably outgunned by the Nazi war machine (tanks and dive bombers versus ... cavalry with sabres and real horses). I wouldn't even consider the Sudetenland a "staged fake" although the drumbeat of propaganda prior to the invasion (all the talk of Liebesraum) had made it nothing of a surprise to the rest of the world.

Answer 4

There is a striking difference between the situation in Germany in the 1920s and 30s and in the USA today. Germany was brought to its knees by the reparation payments imposed on the country by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. For good or ill, Hitler appears to have been legally elected.

The German people did not have the advantage of mass media. There was no Internet, which might have shown them what was happening in Czechoslovakia. (Poland came later)

As far as I can see, the people of the USA are questioning Iraq. Forget 1933 and think 1968 - much closer to home.

And, by the way, whatever else you might say about Hitler, he was a superb orator and knew how to play the crowd. No one can say that about baby Bush.

Many, many non-Nazis served in the German military during World War II and many many gave their lives, not for the Nazi party, but for their country. You cannot call those people cowards. Many, many Americans served in Vietnam and are serving now in Afghanistan and Iraq. You cannot call those people cowards. History may say they were misguided, but cowards they are not.

Answer 5

Americans are uneducated about the terrorists acts that our government commits. Many Americans just don't have a clue that our government is the biggest terrorist organization in the world. Does the CIA ring a bell? Americans think that people hate us, because they are jealous. No, people hate us, because we destroy innocent people and while we claim to give countries, "democracy" we are actually pinning them down. I didn't know anything about this until last year. I almost cried when I realized the truth, because I'm an American and I was horrified to find this out.
Yet, if you try to point it out then you "hate" America and should get out.

Answer 6

That's a ridiculous comparison. Have you watched the news lately? Every day it is filled with criticism of the government. Scooter Libby was just convicted of a crime. Bush's popularity polls are at an all time low. Americans are not afraid of government. Bush is a lame duck and will soon be replaced.

Answer 7

Well let me ask you this.
Which country, has been in iraq ,the longest, and which country soldiers are dying, for the iraqies?
How many other countrys have left america, to defend the people of Iraq.
And how many countries, have pulled their soldiers out? So who are the cowards, and who aren't?
If i didn't know better. I think, that the country or person who runs and hides, is considered a coward.
Or who depends on others to figh their battles for them.
If a country pulls out of a war, and leaves the people, to defend ,for themself, because they are afraid, their people may die.
Or the government,is afraid of their own people. are cowards. If your so brave, then why don't you go and fight? Or are yo ua coward, who hides behind, a Q&A, room. And ask, If the soldiers who are dying,
Are cowards? I ask you, are you a coward or not?
Are you afraid to die for a good cause, or not? Are you willing to sacrifice, your life for people, who hate you?
Yes or no?
Answer these questions, then maybe you will find who the cowards are. By the way. Germans, were not cowards, they were just misled. It was the leader, who refused to accept defeat.
So he took his own life. So who is the coward. the soldiers, or their leader?
And, besides, america, and germany, are 2 different countries. You can not compare ,what germany did to its people, compared to what america did.
Americans died to free any nation that was oppressed. by germans invading army.
We fought, to free people. Not to control them. Now those country, are free to do as they like.
And are able to take care of themselves if need be. Yea call americans, coward. If you like.
But it was america, that stepped in won the war. because no other country could.
It was America ,who stopped Hitlers army.
I don't know what country you may be from. but if its one of those country,that germany, took control of.
Just think what it, might be, if we had lost the war.
Yea Call Americans, cowards.
But think about this. Why is it that when most countries, get in a bind. they call on America.
And then they complain.
After american soldiers died, on their soil. For what?
to be called invaders, To be looked at as war mongers. To be dispised. Or as you put it . Cowards.
And then people wonder ,why America, cops an attitude.

Answer 8

individuals are questioning their authorities. The very last election replaced into, in truth, a vote of no self belief in the Bush administration. Fewer than 20% of the inhabitants of the U. S. approves of the administration's regulations. there have been huge protest rallies those days.

Answer 9

Do you reckon your life could be a conspiracy, if you keep disbelieving in every thing you hear how do you find the truth? If it were'nt for the americans helping us against the Germans you wouldn't be on here with the freedom to be a doubting Thomas would you?

Answer 10

As long as the United States has a giant military, it is impossible to know the content of our character.

To put it simply, we don't HAVE to be brave, and it's unlikely that we'll find ourselves in a position requiring bravery any time soon.

The 2004 election was a sad sign that we might not be nearly as brave as we like to think of ourselves as being. I'm very disappointed that so many of my fellow Americans allowed themselves to be frightened into voting for Bush like that.

On the other hand, something like 56 million of us didn't, despite a rather intense campaign to scare us into it. That says something, I think. And of course last year's election says "we're not as stupid or frightened as you might have thought we were".