Originally Posted by Betonov (Post 2372847)

Orders from superiors ??
Like hitler

Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat (Post 2372826)

yes, saying the Nazis are responsible for WW2 is a bit like saying that the Americans were responsible for the American Revolution because they started the fighting. :D

The root causes of WW2 can easily be traced back to the Treaty of Versailles which was imposed by Britain and France on Germany, carving up German territory and imposing punitive reparation payments.

This had the twin effect of weakening the Weimar republic/German democracy from the start since they had agreed to the Treaty and weakening the German economy since vast amounts of wealth had to be transferred from Germany to Britain/France to pay them.

In addition, Germany was obliged to borrow large sums from the U.S. simply to pay the reparation payments to Britain/France. This had the additional effect that when the depression hit and U.S. loans stopped, the German economy collapsed. Germany was the european country hardest hit by the depression with 6 million unemployed.

All these factors allowed the Nazis to take power in Germany which led to WW2.

If the Versailles treaty had been more fair, more along the line of Wilson's 14 points and if the Weimar Republic had been supported, the Nazis do not come to power and WW2 does not happen.

...so yes, Britain and France are responsible for WW2...:ping:

p.s. - As I have stated previously, one of the best books to understand WW2 is "The Wages of Destruction" by Tooze. He goes into the pre-war economic forces in much more detail then I ever could. Highly recommended reading.

http://www.amazon.ca/The-Wages-Destr.../dp/0143113208

Originally Posted by Oberon (Post 2372835)

What International law?

Originally Posted by Fahnenbohn (Post 2372857)

Originally Posted by Oberon (Post 2372850)

"Democracy" seems to have done alright for itself over the past seventy years, and I'd hardly call what NASDAP Germany had a "Democracy". :hmmm:

Originally Posted by Raptor1 (Post 2372848)

Originally Posted by Fahnenbohn : "Really, do you think that war was a solution to solve the problem between Germany and Poland ?"

Germany seemed to think so.

Originally Posted by Joefour (Post 2372861)

I don't think you understood my statement, and I have no idea how old you are. I didn't imply that Nazi Germany was a democracy, far from it.
I know I'm dating myself but I've been around since the Eisenhower administration and lived through the "Cold War" and witnessed all the murders of millions in the "workers' paradises".

And then the Coup d'etat that murdered Jack Kennedy took place and we went over the precipice.

Originally Posted by Jimbuna (Post 2372862)

I hope we can all agree on the following points:

1) This topic is about who started WWII and nothing else.
2) Talk of the holocaust is verboten and will not be tolerated.
3) Sufficient pleas for common sense and civility have been made and no further warnings will be forthcoming.

Trust me when I say I understand how emotive a topic like this can be but if we all remain mindful of the three points above and treat each other with a level of understanding and consideration this thread could well turn into one of great interest to many in our community.

I thank you all in advance for your co-operation.

Originally Posted by Oberon (Post 2372865)

Do you honestly think that we should have sided with Hitler against the Soviet Union in the 1930s?

Originally Posted by Fahnenbohn (Post 2372868)

Yes, I think so. USSR was planning to invade Europe. But this is one more time another debate !

Originally Posted by Oberon (Post 2372858)

And under what authority is that law enforced?

Originally Posted by STEED (Post 2372871)

Not that old one..."icebreaker".

http://www.ihr.org/jhr/v16/v16n6p22_Bishop.html

Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat (Post 2372864)

Dealing with the Polish corridor, again you have to look to the Treaty of Versailles. There was really no precedent for carving out territory which had been part of Prussia/Germany for 150 years.