Post World War II Europe was always a nightmare being prepared for. President Roosevelt and his wife both understood that the destruction that was taking place in Europe would bring years and years of headache and hardship for the bystanders. The men, women, and children of Europe would all feel the lasting sting of World War II for generations to come. But there was a difference looking at the situation from the outside than from the inside.
Majority of the people looking in from the outside saw the rebuilding of Europe to be a humanitarian effort. France, England, and the United States all agreed on this opinion, with France being the one who related the most. France had still felt the blows of World War I. Their people and their countryside were all effected for years. An entire generation was whipped out in a matter of years. They knew the hardships and how crucial it was to rebuild. But the East, lead by the now prominent USSR saw the rebuilding of Europe as a political move. They didn’t want those connected to the enemy to infect their beautiful country. This mindset reflects the same ideal that motivated Stalin’s purges. He didn’t want those who could combat him in power, or even in the country itself. This motivations and opinions weren’t very surprising. Based on what I’ve studied about the said countries, everything falls into place. Yes, the USSR has been historically painted as an evil country, but it is true. Stalin did have some very harsh opinions on matters.
The main thing that effected the people of Europe was the poisoning of “Nationality” during the German occupation and the destruction of purity and innocence. The Nazi’s goal after conquering was to “Germanize” everything and everyone. They especially targeted the children. Children were brainwashed into forgetting what they were raised on and to adopt the “almighty” German culture. They did the same with women. Women who gave into the German’s will were later outcasted and shamed. Their treatment after the war was that similar to the Scarlet Letter. They were to be publicly mocked and branded with the guilt. They turned against their nation. The question of national pride and loyalty was questioned all across Europe. All of the was surprising to me. I had no idea that the Germans went this far with normal people. I knew all about the terrible things that the SS did in the camps, but to villages? Normal towns, from what I thought, were just occupied. Like in Red Dawn, people were able to carry on their normal lives, just under supervision of the Germans. I had no idea that the Nazis were beginning to reshape the youngest generation into “Real Germans.” I never fully grasped how extreme Hitler’s nationalism was.
The reading from “In War’s Wake” brought a huge outsider’s perspective on things. Everything was about other countries plans, opinions, and motivations int heir actions to help fix Europe. It is a great example of “looking down on history,” that being looking at how people from the outside, not directly effected by majority of the events, saw things. The second reading brought a “ground up” perspective on history. All of the discussions were about the normal people who were living during the times. But both readings pointed out all of the politics that were engaged in this. The politics of different groups, whether it be the West, the Nazis, or the Soviets, have a great ordeal in what carries on for the generations. All of these things are just terrible. Not only did the Nazis break apart their society while they were being occupied, but the lasting effects still divided communities and demographics. It just come to show you that there is always more to play in politics.
In War’s Wake: Europe’s Displaced Persons in the Postwar Order (2011)
I like that you brought up the preparation for displaced persons prior to the end of the war. When I read Cohen’s book I was surprised to learn that the postwar situation was being predicted as early as 1939. Although, maybe I should not be that surprised considering there was also displaced persons after WWI and therefore it was logical to assume there would be displaced persons following WWII. I also like that you discussed the “looking down on history” approach taken by other countries, especially Great Britain and the US. The DPs were used as pawns across Europe. The imagery is especially clear when considered that the UN was dominated by the US and Great Britain. Two countries separated physically from the European continent and the root of the DP problem.
I thought you had an interesting take on the effect of having relations with germans had on women after the occupying force was expelled. It seems that although the germans had been expelled from certain countries they were still able to cause damage after they left. By having relations with Germans many native women became ridiculed and even killed after the war. Great post!