Why did some people easily collaborate with the germans? (WW2)?

Answer 1

This may stun a few people, but the Nazis actually extended their power and influence into areas where other minority groups were being abused by the previous government -- that were also incline to be open to the Nazis as bringing "freedom". The Sudeten Land, Hungry, even Austria to a degree had oppressed existing German (and aligned) populations that suddenly fell within their borders after World War One. Which they treated poorly.

In Russia some villages, had sided with the White Russians (remnants of the Czars' Army and followers after his fall). Many of these enclaves were wiped out or treated with stunning brutality by Stalin. The arrival of the German Army in Russia appeared to these people not as a hostile invader, but as a liberator.

Anti Semitic views --fostered heavily by the Nazis -- brought other people into the fold simply because they hated Jews.

I have to disagree with the previous answer defending the French. They basically fell like a house of cards. There were FAR more Vichy French, than members of the French Resistance.

If you want to look at an underground that an entire country embraced and did significantly more damage than the French could ever muster -- take a look at what the Poles managed to accomplish with 1/10th of the resources.

Answer 2

The word "easily" in your question can only allow for one possible answer: they had the same ideology as the Nazis.

But if you remove "easily" and discuss those people who probably didn't like Nazis but collaborated anyway, then you are left with the other obvious answer: fear.

PS: I hate the French constantly being pointed out as collaborators. Vichy regime aside, France had a very strong resistance, and the reprisals by ordinary French people against French Nazi collaborators following the liberation were often barbaric.

Answer 3

Some thought Hitler's idea of a super race was a good idea. Some hated the jews. Some noted Americans liked Hitler.."Lucky Lindy" Lindberg was one of them. Some of the wealthy congressman & senators also liked Hitler. Today we have the same type of people"America is wrong group" they always side against America but refuse to leave the country. War protestors who say just leave them alone and they will be nice and would rather fight the war here.

Answer 4

The French collaborated because they are fundamentally weak. They would rather be slaves then fight for something. They knew that if they collaborated eventually someone else would come and do their fighting for them. And they were right.

Answer 5

Fear, money, Politics. Many thought the Germans would win the war and they wanted to be on the winning side.

Answer 6

my theory, the jewish bankers funded communists in russia,trotsky said "ww1 gave us russia w2 will give us europe"hitler knew the jewish funded communists were powerful as he had just tried to help franco beat them in spain,the french were very close to this,and knew hilter was correct,except many communists were intertwined in every country including america ,fdr was one. that is why france went down easily to hitler and many french sided with hitler.
what do you think of my theory?

Answer 7

FEAR!!!!