Post-World War I Germany

Post-World War I Germany, from 1918 to 1933, was known as the Weimar Republic. This period was a tumultuous and complex time, characterized by a fragile democracy, economic hardship, political extremism, and a vibrant cultural scene.

The key aspects of the period were:

• The Birth of the Republic: Abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II: As Germany faced defeat in WWI, widespread unrest and revolutionary fervor led to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II in November 1918.
• Establishment of the Weimar Republic: A new democratic government was proclaimed, and its constitution was drafted in the city of Weimar (hence the name). This marked Germany's first attempt at a constitutional republic.

The Treaty of Versailles (1919):

This peace treaty, signed by the new German government, was deeply resented by many Germans and profoundly shaped the post-war period. Its key provisions included:

• Germany lost significant territory in Europe (e.g., Alsace-Lorraine to France, parts of Prussia to a newly reconstituted Poland) and all of its overseas colonies.
• The German military was severely limited in size (100,000 men), conscription was forbidden, and the production of certain weapons was banned.
• War Guilt Clause (Article 231) was a highly controversial clause forced Germany to accept sole responsibility for starting WWI, leading to widespread humiliation and anger.
• Germany was required to pay enormous war reparations to the Allied countries, a burden that severly crippled its economy and caused irrepetible economic hardship on the German people. 

The most devastating effect caused by the "Reparation Payments" the was the hyperinflation (1921-1923) economic crisis caused by the Weimar Republic government's decision to print more money to pay for war debts and to support striking workers in the Ruhr, which was occupied by France and Belgium due to unpaid reparations). 

This period of uncontrolled printing of worthless currency led to an astronomical devaluation of the German mark. Prices skyrocketed, savings were wiped out, and the middle class was particularly devastated. At its peak in November 1923, one US dollar was worth over 4 trillion German marks! 

Two international agreements; The Dawes Plan (1924) and Young Plan (1929), helped to stabilize the German economy by rescheduling reparations payments and providing loans. This led to a period of relative economic stability and prosperity known as the "Golden Twenties."

The infamous "Crash" of the Ameican Stock Exchange on Wall Street, is often remembered as "Black Tuesday". This event, occurred in October 1929 and it led to "The Great Depression". The effects of the collapse of Wall Street and the US Economy spread around the globe. This diasterous collapse and subsequent global economic downturn hit Germany particularly hard, as it relied heavily on American loans. Unemployment soared, and the fragile economic recovery collapsed, creating fertile ground for political extremism.

The Weimar Republic was plagued by political instability from its inception, facing threats from both the extreme left and right:

Left-wing Uprisings:

• Spartacist Uprising (1919): A communist revolt in Berlin, brutally suppressed by the Freikorps (paramilitary groups of ex-soldiers).
• Other communist uprisings in Bavaria and the Ruhr.

Right-wing Threats:

• "Stab-in-the-Back" Myth (Dolchstosslegende): The pervasive belief that Germany had not lost the war militarily but had been betrayed by socialists, Jews, and liberals on the home front, particularly those who signed the Treaty of Versailles ("November Criminals"). This myth was heavily propagated by right-wing groups.
• Freikorps: Nationalist paramilitary groups, often anti-democratic, who were instrumental in suppressing left-wing uprisings but also posed a threat to the Republic.
• Kapp Putsch (1920): An attempted right-wing coup led by Wolfgang Kapp, which failed due to a general strike.
• Beer Hall Putsch (1923): Adolf Hitler's failed attempt to seize power in Munich, leading to his imprisonment.
• Political Assassinations: Numerous prominent politicians were assassinated by right-wing extremists.

Besides all these there was also the weaknesses in the German Constitution:

• While the Weimar Constition was democratic and allowed for proportional representation, this led to a multitude of small parties, making it difficult to form stable coalition governments and leading to frequent changes in chancellor.
• Under the emergency clause "Article 48" which allowed the president to rule by decree in times of crisis; bypassing the Reichstag. Its increased use eventually undermined the democratic principles and allowed for a ruthless leader to concentrate power.

As previously mentioned that even with the political and economic turmoil, the mid-1920s saw a remarkable cultural blossoming in Germany, particularly in Berlin referred to as "The "Golden Twenties". This was an era characterized by:

• Innovation in Arts: Expressive art movements (e.g., Expressionism, Bauhaus), experimental theater, and groundbreaking cinema.
• Social Liberalism: Greater social freedoms, particularly for women, and a thriving nightlife.
• Scientific Advancements: Germany remained a leader in scientific research and development.

The cumulative impact of the Treaty of Versailles' harshness, the trauma of hyperinflation, the political instability, and most critically, the economic devastation of the Great Depression, created an environment where extremist ideologies found fertile ground. 

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, capitalized on public discontent, fear, and nationalist resentment, antisemitism and "Judeo-Bolshevism". Hitler and the Nazi Party gained increasing support in this post WWI period vrom 1929- 1933. Hitler and the Nazi Party promises to restore Germany's honor, rearm the military, and provide economic stability resonated with a population weary of crisis.

The Weimar Republic ultimately succumbed to these pressures, with Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in January 1933 thereby marking the end of Germany's first democratic experiment and the beginning of the Nazi dictatorship. 

The American Nazi Bund and the communist Jews of post WWI Germany

The American Nazi Bund, more accurately known as the German American Bund (Amerikadeutscher Volksbund AV), emerged from an earlier organization called the "Friends of the New Germany"(FONG, FDND in German), was a pro-Nazi organization active in the United States from 1936 to 1941.  

The German American Bund aimed to promote German culture and Nazi ideology among German Americans. 

They held rallies, often adorned with Nazi symbols (like swastikas) and American flags, and featured Nazi salutes alongside the U.S. flag salute.

They vigorously promoted antisemitism, claiming Jews were enemies of both the U.S. and Germany, and spread conspiracy theories like "Judeo-Bolshevism." Additionally, the Jews were blamed for the defeat of Germany in the "Stab in the back" accusation and for the spread of communism.

They promoted false ideas and spreading the lie that Jews controlled politics, the economies, the media and other areas of society. 

• The Bund published its own newspaper, the "Deutscher Weckruf und Beobachter" (German Call and Observer), and circulated other propaganda materials.
• They established recreational camps across the U.S. (including in New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and California) and created an American version of the Hitler Youth to indoctrinate children in German language, history, and Nazi philosophy.
• The organization had a uniformed, paramilitary wing called the Ordnungsdienst (OD), modeled after the Nazi Party's SA, which provided security at their events.

The Bund sought to create a community that embraced Nazi principles and to influence American public opinion in support of Nazi Germany.

They insisted they were a patriotic American organization, claiming there was no contradiction between American patriotism and support for Nazism. Their vision for the U.S. included establishing white Christian supremacy, expelling Jews from labor and government, and isolating the U.S. from international conflicts.

While their leader Fritz Julius Kuhn, a naturalized American citizen born in Germany, claimed over 20,000 members. Historically documented evidence revealed that their actual membership peaked at around 6,000 to 10,000.

Despite its public presence and alarming activities, the Bund ultimately had a negligible impact within the broader German-American community, with the vast majority not supporting it. Even the German government disavowed the organization and restricted its activities in 1938 due to its ineffectiveness.

In the end the Bund faced increasing scrutiny from the U.S. government, including investigations by the FBI and the House Committee on Un-American Activities (Dies Committee).

Additionally, their leader Fritz Kuhn was jailed in 1939 for embezzling Bund funds, which significantly weakened the organization.

After the disasterous attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7th 1941, and the declaration of war by Japan's Axis Ally Nazi Germany. The Bund rapidly declined and was officially banned. Many of its leaders were subsequently tried for sedition.

Honest Reporting

As I have frequently stated I so dislike those po-Israel people who in their rush to write they do not do "Due Diligence" and verify the truth of what they say or PUBLISH! 

There are many of those whom I have chastised for their mistakes. who think of me as an cantankerous old coot.

As a truthful historian one must relay the documented truth! 

As a JOURNALIST, one must maintain journalist integrity-by doing "Due Diligence", which regretfully we see now is a thing of the past.

By relaying incorrect or false information it merely plays into the arsenal of mendacious lies of the backers of the "Landless refugee decendants of the eunuchs of the Great Nachba".

In an article ,that I read recently the writer relayed the nefarious claim that President Richard M. Nixon helped Israel in 1973 because of: "A Promise To His Mother".

This statement is incorrect.

It is an undocumented assertion that President Nixon aided Israel in 1973 primarily because of a promise he had made to his mother. This statement is not supported by any historical evidence. (Bovine Excrement)

Richard Nixon's personal sentiments and background are often discussed in relation to his presidency but here is ABSOLUTELY NO historical evidence to support this statement!

Historians and analyses of the Yom Kippur War and of Nixon's foreign policy point out that there were several key geopolitical and strategic motivations for the massive U.S. airlift of military supplies- (known as Operation Nickel Grass) to Israel.

• The most significant factor was the Cold War conflict with the Soviet Union, who was heavily arming and supporting Egypt and Syria. 
• A decisive Arab victory, especially with Soviet backing, would have greatly enhanced Soviet influence in the Middle East and been a major strategic blow to the U.S. and its position against communism. 
• US President Nixon and his then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger saw the Arab-Israeli conflict as a proxy war between the superpowers.
• Preventing Israel's Defeat (and Potential Nuclear Escalation) was a major consideration. 

In the Yom Kippur War of 1973 Israel suffered significant initial losses. There were credible fears that if the tide of the war didn't turn, Israel might face a catastrophic defeat, potentially even leading to a desperate use of its undeclared nuclear capabilities. US President Nixon was determined to prevent Israel's collapse.

Nixon and his Secretary of State Henry Kissinger believed that an Israeli victory, or at least a strong negotiating position, would be necessary to bring about meaningful peace talks between Israel and the Arab states. They aimed to establish a new diplomatic order in the Middle East that would be favorable to U.S. interests.

 As an ally, the U.S. had a vested interest in demonstrating its commitment to Israel thereby maintaining U.S. Credibility.  By abandoning Israel in its hour of need would have severely damaged U.S. credibility with allies worldwide.

The Nixon administration was still heavily dealing with the utter fiasco from the aftermath of the US actions in Viet Nam and the US Administrion strove to avoid yet another geopolitical disaster.  

US President Nixon and his then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger were in their commitment to avoid another prolonged and costly military quagmire, as well as to prevent a situation that could escalate directly into a U.S.-Soviet confrontation.

Here is an exerpt from a book published by the Insight Team of the London Sunday Times, page 376-Regarding Nickel Grass:

"In this struggle, the U.S. resupply effort was now crucial, as the Egyptians realized. "We could see the effects of American aid after October 16," Egypt's deputy premier, Mohammed Abdel Hatem, said afterward. "From October 6-16, there was a marked decline in the effectiveness of the Israeli Air Force. They began with 3,000 sorties a day and declined to about 1,500 on October 16 [the day Sharon crossed]. But after October 16, the number of daily sorties increased sharply once more."

New tanks were arriving as well. At first, the giant U.S. C-5A Galaxy transports landed only at Lod Airport; but as the airlift got under way through the week of October 14-20, some Galaxies carrying M-48 and M-60 tanks landed in Sinai itself, at the airstrip at El Arish. This got the tanks to the front a few hours."

While Nixon's personal views on Jews and Israel were complex and at times contradictory (with some evidence of anti-Semitic remarks in private). 

His decision-making during the Yom Kippur War was overwhelmingly driven by strategic national interests within the context of the Cold War.

There is no widely accepted historical account that attributes his decision to a promise made to his mother. FACT!!

In his article the author also stated that; "Prime Minister Golda Meir was in a state of shock." 

Golda was NOT in anyway in "Shock". I know because when I had made aliyah in 1974 I was fortunate to meet and speak with Golda. She relayed to me how her "top" advisers -she OVER relied on Moshe Dayan- counseled her not to worry, saying they would have adequate notice before any war broke out. 

Shock? No! If anything she was deeply and emotionally sorrowful over the terrible price in lives we have paid for our homeland 

What angered her the most was the betrayal of "Court Jew" Henry Kissenger.

As Golda was a politician and party member and had never served in the military. She "over relied" on those "Generals" who were subservient to her.

and as I once contributed to Wikkipedia I wrote:

"In the days leading up to the Yom Kippur War, Israeli intelligence could not conclusively determine that an attack was imminent. 

However, on 5 October 1973, Meir received information that Syrian forces were massing on the Golan Heights. Golda was alarmed by the reports, and believed that the situation was similar to what preceded the Six-Day War. 

The advice of the "Generals" made sense at the time; after the Six Day War, since most of those in the Israeli intelligence community considered the Arabs unprepared to launch another attack.

Consequently, although the Knesset passed a resolution granting her power to demand a full-scale call-up of the military (instead of the typical cabinet decision), Meir did not mobilize Israel's forces early. 

Soon, though, the threat of war became very clear. Six hours before the outbreak of hostilities, Meir met with Minister of Defense Moshe Dayan and General David Elazar. Dayan continued to argue that war was unlikely and favored calling up the air force and only two divisions. Army Chief of Staff Elazar advocated a full-scale army mobilization and the launch of a full-scale preemptive strike on Syrian forces."

On October 6, Meir approved full-scale mobilizing but rejected a preemptive strike, citing concerns that Israel might be perceived as initiating hostilities. 

Take special note of this:

"She had made it a priority to inform Washington of her decision. U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger later confirmed Meir's assessment by stating that if Israel had launched a preemptive strike, Israel would not have received the backing of the United States." 

Golda was distraught after her telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Henry Kissenger. She realised that an Israel pre-emptive strike may save many Israeli lives but she also knew that Israel would be dependent on access to crucial foreign aid and military support, in particular from the United States, in the resulting conflict. 

In the continuation of the article that I mentioned the writer blithely stated: 

"Israel, with less than 200 tanks facing an enemy with 1400 tanks was totally ill-equipped to counter an onslaught of this magnitude."

As a historian and IDF veteran I wish to correct the article with the true facts!!!

In October 1973, at the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had a diverse tank inventory of some 1200, primarily consisting of modernized Western-made tanks.

The main types of tanks in the IDF's possession were:

Centurion tanks (Sho't): 

These British-made main battle tanks were heavily modified by Israel, receiving a new powerpack (Continental AVDS-1790-2A diesel engine and Allison CD850-6 transmission) and a 105mm L7 gun. 

These upgraded versions were known as "Sho't Kal" (Alef, Bet, Gimel, Dalet sub-variants). The Sho't Meteor, an earlier upgrade with the original Rolls-Royce Meteor engine but also armed with the 105mm gun, also saw some combat. By the start of the war, 293 Centurion tanks were operational.

M48 Patton (Magach-3): 

These American-made tanks were upgraded by Israel, primarily by replacing their original 90mm gun with the 105mm L7 gun and receiving other improvements such as new engines and transmissions. These were known as "Magach-3."

M60/M60A1 Patton (Magach-6): 

Newer American-made tanks that were also in Israeli service, sometimes referred to as "Magach-6."

In terms of numbers, documented sources indicate that Israel had approximately 540 of the modified M48A3 (Magach-3) and M60A1 (Magach-6) tanks as well as Centurions, 293 were operational at the beginning of the war. 

While older Sherman variants (M-50 and M-51, sometimes referred to as "Super Shermans") had largely been replaced in regular units, they were still used by reserve units on both the Sinai and Golan Heights fronts during the Yom Kippur War. 

TRUE DOCUMENTED FACTS!