BRITISH ATTITUDES IN NATIONAL SOCIALIST EYES

In: The Australian journal of politics and history: AJPH, Band 1, Heft 2, S. 155-178

Abstract

The images of foreign nations which exist at any time in the minds of the people have a great variety of sources. The historian, faced with the claim that they are novel & original often does not find it difficult to trace their ancient roots, their forerunners & models. He is aware that historical development means both continuity & change. Old national cliches & prejudices have a long lease of life, but they are constantly modified by new events. New pol'al & soc constellations at home & abroad lead to the formation of fresh stereotypes which reflect & classify what is regarded as characteristic of a foreign people, its rulers, or its policies. Criticism, resentment, propaganda play a part in arriving at such convenient formulae. In many fields German National Socialism claimed to offer something brand new, a real pol'al order, an unheard of arrangement of society to last for 1,000 years. Yet in retrospect it becomes evident that whilst Hitler & Goebbels could boast a moderate amount of originality in their ideology it was more deeply rooted in certain German traditions than they cared to admit. (IPSA).