In order to persuade Britain to pack up, to compel her to make peace, it was essential to rob her of her hope of being able still to confront us, on the continent itself, with an adversary of a stature equal to our own.(15th February 1945-discussing the reasons for the invasion of the Soviet Union)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hitler claims eliminating Britain's hope of allies was necessary to force peace negotiations.
- In plain terms
- To make Britain surrender, they had to lose hope of help.
- What can you take from it?
- Destroying hope of external support can compel an enemy to negotiate.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What role does hope play in war?
- Is crushing enemy morale ethical?
Another view
This justification rationalizes aggressive expansion as defensive necessity.
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