The hostile attitude of the Soviet government towards Germany and the serious threat represented by the concentration of Russian troops on the borders of the Country has forced the Reich to undertake military countermeasures. The Fuhrer has placed me in charge to officially inform you of these defensive provisions.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker claims Germany acted defensively against Soviet troop movements, justifying military countermeasures under Hitler's order.
- In plain terms
- Germany said it had to prepare for war because Soviet troops were gathering nearby.
- What can you take from it?
- Leaders often frame offensive actions as necessary defense.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What evidence supports this claim of threat?
- How do leaders justify war?
Another view
The claim of defense may mask aggressive intent.
More from Joachim von Ribbentrop
I know for a fact that this idea of the Jews causing the war and the Jews being so all important is nonsense. But that was Hitler's idea, and...was pure fantas…
Permalink to quote #9 Joachim von Ribbentrop is like a man of wood.
Permalink to quote #11 We no longer demand anything, we want war.
Permalink to quote #8
Related quotes
When apprehensions abroad threatened the success of the Nazi regime for conquest, it was the duplicitous Ribbentrop, the salesman of deception, who was detaile…
Joachim von RibbentropJoachim von Ribbentrop quote #13 As an Englishman, particularly as an Englishman standing upon foreign soil, I am, of course, prepared to argue that every war we have ever fought was a purely …
Norman AngellNorman Angell quote #26 If you examine the record of the so-called the anti-war movement in this country and imagine what would have happened had its counsel been listened to over the…
Christopher HitchensChristopher Hitchens quote #65