According to the article "Downfall or Liberation" by Eberhard Jacke, published in History Today in May 1995, not all Germans were confident of their country winning the war. The article highlights the complex and varied attitudes of Germans during World War II.
1. The article explores the sentiments of ordinary Germans who were increasingly disillusioned with the war. It points out that as the war progressed, many Germans grew weary of the constant bombardments, rationing, and loss of loved ones. Consequently, their confidence in victory waned.
2. Jacke also discusses the existence of pockets of dissent within Germany. He mentions the White Rose resistance movement, a group of university students and their professors who actively opposed the Nazi regime. Their actions demonstrated that not all Germans were confident in their country's success.
3. The article sheds light on the behavior of some high-ranking officials in the German military and government. It reveals that several individuals, like Admiral Canaris and General von Witzleben, actively plotted against Adolf Hitler and his regime, indicating a lack of confidence in Germany's ability to win the war.
4. The author highlights the German population's awareness of the significant military defeats suffered by the German forces. Specifically, the loss at Stalingrad in 1943 was a crucial turning point, causing many Germans to question their country's chances of victory.
5. Propaganda played a role in maintaining the illusion of German confidence. The article suggests that the Nazi regime's manipulation of public opinion through propaganda campaigns, such as those led by Joseph Goebbels, contributed to a sense of optimism among some Germans. However, the article argues that this confidence did not necessarily reflect the reality on the ground.
6. Jacke also highlights the fear and intimidation tactics employed by the Nazi regime. He suggests that some Germans may have appeared confident outwardly due to fear of reprisals for expressing doubts about the war effort. This fear could have masked the true sentiments of the German population.
7. The article mentions the existence of a minority of fervent Nazi supporters who genuinely believed in the superiority of the German military. These individuals were likely confident in their country's chances of winning the war due to their ideological beliefs.
8. Finally, the author emphasizes that the varied attitudes and opinions of Germans during the war should not be oversimplified. The complex mix of confidence, doubt, fear, and resistance illustrates that the German population was not universally unified in their belief in victory.
In conclusion, based on the article "Downfall or Liberation" by Eberhard Jacke, it is evident that not all Germans were confident of their country winning the war. The article highlights the diverse attitudes and experiences of Germans during World War II and emphasizes that confidence varied among different segments of the population.
Use the article by Eberhard jacket Downfall or liberation history today may 1995
Where all Germans confident of their country wining the war motivate for 8 marks
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