Raeder, the political admiral, stealthily built up the German Navy in defiance of the Versailles Treaty, and then put it to use in a series of aggressions which he had taken a leading part in planning.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Raeder secretly rebuilt the German Navy against international agreements and used it to execute aggressive plans he helped design.
- In plain terms
- He hid his buildup of the navy and then used it to attack as planned.
- What can you take from it?
- Military leaders can undermine peace treaties through secret preparation and aggressive intent.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do leaders justify breaking international agreements?
- What checks exist on military buildup?
Another view
The quote focuses on Raeder's role without detailing the broader political context of the time.
More from Erich Raeder
I will bring to everyone's attention that, in case war with Great Britain were to burst; such a war could mean Germany's end.
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