There seems to be a rise of thought, particularly on social media, which has people posting old clips of holocaust deniers posting apparent proof that the numbers are misleading at best and completely false at worst. This then seems to lead to a narrative of the claim that Jews are manipulating the world and have done so for generations. 1. What is the best argument to counter this narrative and what confidence do we have that agrees with what I thought to be true which is that the Nazi concept was in fact evil at its core and the atrocities are accurate? 2. Ive heard the argument that in todays world we are not at the same risk of an impending fast-tracked world war given how “far we’ve come since WWII”. Sure a regime that blatantly ignores international agreements and laws (for what they’re worth) can fling us into conflict really quickly?
I have a similar question. When you think Hitler, horrific images of concentration camps can’t help but pop into one’s mind. However, when one thinks of Stalin (or Mao) who actually led to the death of way more of their own people , the images and visceral reaction isn’t so readily conjured. Why is calling someone a fascist synonymous with evil, whereas calling someone a communist is not? Particularly when communism in the 20th century was several magnitudes more deadly than fascism?
Can you clarify the reasoning behind the halting of the land advance against British expeditionary forces at Dunkirk and address the notion that Hitler didn't want to destroy the expeditionary force in that moment as "Britain had an Empire to run", and he sort that stability and continuum as a short-term strategy.
I appreciate that this is a question relating to the first world war, but relates to Churchill’s reputation. I now live in Australia, where much of the focus is understandably on the Gallipoli campaign. Churchill generally gets the blame for this disaster, but I am not sure that is fair. I was under the impression that he suggested the campaign before the Turks had the opportunity to fortify, and it was the delay by others that led to the (heroic) disaster. Is there any truth to this?
Can there be some sort of weird middle ground between not being a holocaust denier and also not thinking Hitler was Satan incarnate? He of course gave into evil ideologies but there should be nuance to every story.
Do you agree as some commentators suggest that Britian lost the most as a result of the Second World War? If we hadn’t taken the position we did, would another power at the time stepped up to lead the charge to the extent we did?
Do you think Hitler thought he was doing good, and that he had to break a shitload of eggs to make his nazi-omelette, or did he show any signs of self awareness of what he had started and what his regime did?
How did Hitler's Great War military service impact on his political development, and is there a legitimate case to be made that he could be seen as a war hero?
How much do you think the Third Reich was a product of "German-ness" versus the humiliation of the surrender in 1918 and subsequent economic collapse? Could any of the competing nations at the time have made a Hitler and run with him, had they experienced similar conditions? What made Mussolini or Stalin less evil at the outset? Is the answer in Mein Kampf?
Some argue that Hitler was a direct result of the horrific revolutions of the bolsheviks. As socialism rises around the world today, is there a similar authoritarian that has emerged that we need to keep an eye on? Or have we all learned our lesson from Hitler?
Do you have any doubt that Hitler died in his bunker as the history books dictate? Have you been presented with any evidence that compels you to think he could have successfully escaped?
Hi James. If Hitler had been accepted into the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna (and did not become the leader of Germany) would another version of WWII have still been inevitable in Europe?
In your lifetime and career, WWII has gone from being an event you could talk to people who were there at the time to just a series of events written in the history books. How does this impact our views and sense of WWII?
There seems to be a rise of thought, particularly on social media, which has people posting old clips of holocaust deniers posting apparent proof that the numbers are misleading at best and completely false at worst. This then seems to lead to a narrative of the claim that Jews are manipulating the world and have done so for generations. 1. What is the best argument to counter this narrative and what confidence do we have that agrees with what I thought to be true which is that the Nazi concept was in fact evil at its core and the atrocities are accurate? 2. Ive heard the argument that in todays world we are not at the same risk of an impending fast-tracked world war given how “far we’ve come since WWII”. Sure a regime that blatantly ignores international agreements and laws (for what they’re worth) can fling us into conflict really quickly?
Who do you think is the greater war criminal, Hitler or Stalin?
I have a similar question. When you think Hitler, horrific images of concentration camps can’t help but pop into one’s mind. However, when one thinks of Stalin (or Mao) who actually led to the death of way more of their own people , the images and visceral reaction isn’t so readily conjured. Why is calling someone a fascist synonymous with evil, whereas calling someone a communist is not? Particularly when communism in the 20th century was several magnitudes more deadly than fascism?
Can you clarify the reasoning behind the halting of the land advance against British expeditionary forces at Dunkirk and address the notion that Hitler didn't want to destroy the expeditionary force in that moment as "Britain had an Empire to run", and he sort that stability and continuum as a short-term strategy.
I appreciate that this is a question relating to the first world war, but relates to Churchill’s reputation. I now live in Australia, where much of the focus is understandably on the Gallipoli campaign. Churchill generally gets the blame for this disaster, but I am not sure that is fair. I was under the impression that he suggested the campaign before the Turks had the opportunity to fortify, and it was the delay by others that led to the (heroic) disaster. Is there any truth to this?
How come Hitler did not invade Switzerland?
Hi James, I'm a long time listener, first time caller. In fact I've been a proud member of the Independant Company since July 29, 2022!
Could Hitler have been stopped politically in the late 1930s or was he already too big too fail?
Can there be some sort of weird middle ground between not being a holocaust denier and also not thinking Hitler was Satan incarnate? He of course gave into evil ideologies but there should be nuance to every story.
Do you agree as some commentators suggest that Britian lost the most as a result of the Second World War? If we hadn’t taken the position we did, would another power at the time stepped up to lead the charge to the extent we did?
Do you think Hitler thought he was doing good, and that he had to break a shitload of eggs to make his nazi-omelette, or did he show any signs of self awareness of what he had started and what his regime did?
How did Hitler's Great War military service impact on his political development, and is there a legitimate case to be made that he could be seen as a war hero?
How much do you think the Third Reich was a product of "German-ness" versus the humiliation of the surrender in 1918 and subsequent economic collapse? Could any of the competing nations at the time have made a Hitler and run with him, had they experienced similar conditions? What made Mussolini or Stalin less evil at the outset? Is the answer in Mein Kampf?
Some argue that Hitler was a direct result of the horrific revolutions of the bolsheviks. As socialism rises around the world today, is there a similar authoritarian that has emerged that we need to keep an eye on? Or have we all learned our lesson from Hitler?
Do you have any doubt that Hitler died in his bunker as the history books dictate? Have you been presented with any evidence that compels you to think he could have successfully escaped?
Do you think it is likely that if he was allowed into art school that all the jews would still be alive?
half joke half serious question!
Hi James. If Hitler had been accepted into the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna (and did not become the leader of Germany) would another version of WWII have still been inevitable in Europe?
In your lifetime and career, WWII has gone from being an event you could talk to people who were there at the time to just a series of events written in the history books. How does this impact our views and sense of WWII?