World Reactions to Nazi Germany's Violence: Condemnation, Indifference, and Collaboration

One student asked about other countries' opinions on Nazi Germany's violence and thuggery. Well, during the time of Nazi Germany, many countries had varying opinions on their violence and thuggery. Some countries condemned and strongly opposed the brutality and aggression displayed by the Nazis, while others were more indifferent or even sympathetic towards their actions.\n\nFor example, countries like the United Kingdom, France, and the United States strongly condemned Nazi Germany's violence and recognized the threat it posed to global peace and stability. They viewed the Nazi regime as a dangerous force that needed to be stopped. These countries actively opposed the Nazis through diplomatic means, economic sanctions, and eventually military intervention during World War II.\n\nOn the other hand, there were countries that had more ambiguous or even supportive attitudes towards Nazi Germany. Italy, under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, formed an alliance with Hitler's Germany, known as the Axis Powers. Mussolini admired Hitler's authoritarian ideals and wanted to emulate them in Italy. Some fascist sympathizers in other countries, such as Spain under Francisco Franco, also expressed admiration for Nazi Germany's strong leadership and anti-communist stance.\n\nAdditionally, there were instances of collaboration or appeasement by certain countries, hoping to avoid conflict or mitigate Nazi aggression. One notable example is the Munich Agreement of 1938, where Britain and France agreed to let Hitler annex parts of Czechoslovakia to appease him and maintain peace. However, this failed to deter Nazi Germany's expansionist ambitions and only emboldened Hitler further.\n\nIt's important to note that the opinions and actions of different countries varied greatly during this time. Many people and governments were not fully aware of the extent of Nazi Germany's violence and thuggery until later in the war. And while some actively resisted, others were influenced by their own political, economic, or ideological considerations. Ultimately, it was the collective efforts of the Allies, including countries that opposed Nazi Germany from the beginning, that led to the defeat of the Nazi regime and the end of World War II.