Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - The German Problem
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It may have looked in 1947 that the Russians had
succeeded better than the western Allies. It is true
that they had not ”democratized” the people, but they
had brought about greater order in their zone than
the English and American in western Germany. Also,
the Russian methods were applied right after the
German capitulation, when the Germans could
understand better that a defeated nation must be treated
severely.
The problems I have touched upon here are so
complicated that it perhaps may be considered
presumptuous for me to express myself thereon.
One thing, however, is certain. The problem of the
character of future German development is of such
great importance that it will probably be decisive
for the future of Europe. It is also certain that the
problem is an extremely difficult one to grasp. If I
were to try, however, to sketch the conclusions I
have drawn from my recent travels in Germany, I
would say the following:
To whatever extent the average German of today
is capable of overcoming his apathy and depression,
of freeing himself from his economic worries, to
whatever extent he is able to suppress his longing for
one decent meal and to raise himself above the
misery of life among ruins, he looks forward, as
far as can be judged, to finding a new leader —
an heir to Frederick the Great and Bismarck, to
Wilhelm II and Hitler. He looks forward to
subordinating himself in an endeavor to rebuild, to create
order out of the chaos into which the deeds of his
last leader have thrown him. He reflects on himself
and his position with bitterness, and on his country
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