The world saw its first brush with total war in the second decade of the 20th century with WWI. The result was 10 million dead and several million more casualties. Destructive as that conflict proved, it was soon eclipsed by the greater violence that exploded in World War II. By the close of that war in 1945, Europe and the rest of the world had to face the fact that modern nations had unleashed a new kind of unlimited and extremely destructive warfare that had the potential to destroy all of humanity.The escalating nature of the conflict can be seen in a transcript of a radio broadcast delivered to the German public in October 1942 by Hermann Goering, Hitler’s second in command, who was then trying to mobilize his nation’s economy more fully to match the growing demands of the war (you can read the radio address by clicking here). Goering’s address to the German people reveals how the later American entry into the war (we’ll talk about that in greater detail tomorrow) and its escalation into a total conflict began to affect Germany. Despite having control over most of Europe and eastern Russia, Germany was beginning to suffer from scarcities by late 1942.
After reading the address, I would like you all to think about and discuss the following: What seems to have been most lacking? Observe how Goering reminds the Germans that in the face of such hardships, they must set aside personal interests and fight as “an entire nation, as a totality.” What does he say they must be prepared to give up, and why? His comments on “enemy air attacks” are also worth noting. How does he characterize them? What does he claim they will destroy along with “harmless people?” Do his remarks suggest that the air raids were having a significant effect? What about his reaction to the American threat to wage an all-out economic war against the Axis? How is this a unique characteristic of the time period? Your thoughts…
5 comments:
The propoganda is very apparent. He is fuming about the fact that the British Army is dropping bombs on citizens when the Germans are doing exactly the same thing. They just "forget" to mention that. The people must give up excessive use of anything and personal freedoms. His reaction to the American threat is that they are not as good as us and they are only human.
This guy seemed to leave out alot of details. He is definately making Germany look like the victims. He doesnt mention how they used Spain as a test site for plane bombs, or that they were destroying small countries for practice for the Soviet Union. It sounded like Goering was calling Winston Churchill a liar for not sending over the 1000 planes, and even if he did, Germany would be ok. Finally, he is telling the people not to underestimate the U.S. but, just like everywhere else, Germany could handle it.
Dante' Johnson
The most lacking in this was his showing of what the germans did..mmhm..maybe he forgot? i donno..
He says they must be prepared to give up personal freedom so that the soldiers can fight with perfect resources and not be dying while people at home get more than enough.
He characterizes the enemy air attacks by mocking the british air general, becuase apparantly thy are slaughtering innocent for no reason, (i dont think they should slaughter innocents but thats what the germans did, but its still horrible no matter how u look at it).
He claims that the german cultural values are destroyed with innocent people.
His reply to american economic war is that they got cool things but those things aren't going to help in the war so they're gonna lose.
It gave me the chills when he talks about German people’s needs for foods coming before their conquered territories and that the conquered territories will supply Germans for food. They must give up using unnecessary energy so you don’t use up too much coal and gas. They also must give up their personal freedom. It’s ironic that Goerging is complaining about the US bombing residential areas when they really got the idea from Germany, who is guilty of doing the same thing. He says this will destroy German culture. He says not to underestimate the United States manufacturing capacity, but then he says that they cant manufacture at high levels and have a big army.
The Germans are trying to glorify what they are doing. He attacks England for sttacking cities, yet is doing the same, probably as he is speaking those words, in another country. He also critizes the Us and claims that they could never compete with Germany because they don't have the work force.
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