A discussion of this war can be extensive or matter of fact. It's my intention not to look at the logistical military significance of battles of WW II, but, discover where all failed leading to a war that killed enormous amounts of people. The most heinous war ever leveled against human beings.
A discussion of WWII and the "impetus" to war cannot be conducted without discussing WW I. From WWI there were tragic 'signs' along the way including the attack by Italy of Ethiopia, The Spanish Civil War, the remilitarization of Rhineland which was 'enjoyed' by Hilter's observation of the strength or lack there of, of "The West" with Ethopia, the estrangement of Russia by the West, the demoralization of Germany post WWI, the formation of the Rome-Berlin Axis leading to the failure of The League of Nations, and Japan's Invasion into Manchuria. All that and the failure of the world to assess it's own ability to destroy civilization added up to a follow up to WWI. In actuality, WWII was simply an exacerbation of all the failures in diplomacy after WWI, the advent of German innovation and the rise of American philanthropy. The discussion of the diplomatic failure leading to WWII and the subsequent rise of Germany occurs pre-WWII and is out of sequence with a timeline of discerning the motations of war, but, to first address the lethargy of the USA to prevent or stop war, but, to allow war is what will be pursued here tonight.
The infamous failure of the Deutschmark is all to well known Pre-WW II. But, why? And why did the plans post WWI fail to result in a sustainable peace? Part of that was the rise of industry and the power grab for profit. Post WWI saw an enormous blossoming of manufacturing and in Germany there existed companies proving to be profitable and desirable such as the all too familiar and modern day producer of aspirin, "Bayer." The 'good times' of the Roaring Twenties were all too good in some ways. It was the time of "The Great Gatsby." (click on)
During this period of time post WWI there was enormous amount of 'paper shuffling' and what I considered tainted agreements regardless the legality of them. Germany would find it's dominance of industry exported across the Atlantic to a rising star of a country the USA in what later became a scandal under the "Alien Property Custodian Act." (click on)
Definition of Alien Property.(click on)
That Act has a long history and has been modified several times since it's inception in 1917. (click on)
The Alien Property Act Scandal in a nutshell goes like this:
An Alien Property Custodian was appointed during World War I to handle property in the United States belonging to citizens of enemy nations.
Thomas W. Miller held that position during the Harding administration. It was later revealed that he had taken a $50,000 bribe from Jess Smith, a close friend of Attorney General Harry Daugherty, to influence the disposition of some property belonging to aliens.
In 1927, Miller was convicted of fraud and sent to prison, primarily for his role in the sale of some German patents for a pittance.
The scandal affected none of the business trasactions and the American diet of wealth would find itself among friends. Friends such as "The Trading with the Enemy Act." (click on) All this legislation was to benefit the rise of wealth in the USA. And it did. As a matter of fact, Harry S. Truman (click on) realized the value of such legislation and conferred his power as President under the Alien Property Custodian Act completely to the person in the Custodian position.
I think the picture is relatively clear. Corruption precedes proper use of law and the law is also modified to accommodate 'reasonable corruption' that cannot be defined overtly as immoral. The Ameican Money Machine 'found a way' and it would be those profiteers that would come to dominate politics. The 'placement' of leaders such as Truman with an appreciation for the 'business minded' became the status quo for the USA. The 'trend' to 'have life as was most profitable' in the USA leading to widespread misuse of government has lead many today to take an even more corrupt path considering it their 'historical heritiage' and 'priviledged right.'
As proof of the extent 'business' would over shadow all other American interests, judges like, Judge Julius Mayer would come to prominence. His rulings were a reflection of the prevailing attitudes and beliefs of the days' business leaders. His rulings were extremely pro-business and anti-union. He showed no tolerance for those that held political beliefs different from his. He threw people out of the country whom were not considered citizens and ruled in favor of some that were considered obstructionists to war. He was a gem. (An Example of one of his rulings and consider it is cited in other case law. Follow the trend? The Robert's Court of modern day America reflects on law that is antiquated and leveled at a time when America was finding 'cheating' a useful tool. At least that is my opinion. click on)
I believe there was incredible corruption seeking profits over morality that existed Pre-WWII. There were many 'cartel' agreements during this time. Some like those in South America banned trade with the USA. As a result German Companies, such as I. G. Farber, established business interests in South America. It wasn't until war broke out in Europe did the USA find a way to 'deal' both sides of the war circumventing the British Blockade. It traded with Nazi Germany through the cartels of South America. Oh, not directly, the 'appearance' of business was too smart for that. The American Profit Machine would transact business with South American German firms with goods first going to neutral countries such as Spain and Switerland. An American subsidiary of Standard Oil of New Jersey would supply Nazi Germany with oil and munitions. Standard Oil of New Jersey even circulated propaganda material that was Pro-Nazi Germany through it's South American subsidary. See, Germany wanted The Caspian Sea and Russian oil. Today, it's Dick Cheney and his Energy Commission that still covets The Caspian Sea and Russian oil. Russia wasn't about to give up the Caspian nor will today. As a result Russia would lead a successful assault from it's front into Europe against Hitler. Russia was the first to discover Nazi Germany's Death Camps. They were the first liberators of the Jews or should I say savior of the survivors.
Russia's frustration, that would lead to The Cold War, is somewhat America's own doing. It is my assertion that Russia finds communism helpful because of the continuous onslaught of American Politics dominated by Capalitists. How can two countries come together in agreement over anything with one of the partners CHRONICALLY seeking fiscal dominance over an entire country's sovereignty and right to exploit it's natural resources. There can be no such friendship and is why today the Walker Bush Administration wants to AGAIN demonize Russia and Vladimir Putin. Putin on the other hand wants nothing more than to bring United Nation Treaties under control to stop Nuclear Proliferation. As a communist country interested in stability and control their 'view of the world' is sometimes far more beneficial than any capitalistic Western Interest that see dollar signs, or British pounds in any agreement before it sees the benevolence of peace rather than war.
Winston Churchill would plead with the USA to become involved in the European Front and it was always postponed. The excuse was that the USA was not 'tooled up' for war. That was true to a certain extent, but, the desire to tool up for war was never a priority. The Atlantic Ocean would prove to be a false sense of security and oddly the attack on the USA would come as a complete surprise from the Western coast and not the Eastern coast. It was after Pearl Harbor that the USA would finally have it's 'kick in the ass' to realize what profiteering brought it was a significant USA Treasury along with handsomely functioning business but NOT a secure nation. Not only that but to enter the war so late in it's progress nearly cost the USA all it's allies in Europe. The European theater was nearly demised, ie: The bombings of London, before the USA finally accepted it's global responsiblity. It was no time and Rosie the Riveter would be pumping out war machines and soldiers. The potential to enter the war was always there for the USA, it simply wasn't a profitable convenience at the time.So, don't lecture me about the benevolent USA. It is hardly that. One might realize the USA is ONLY over 200 years old and still acts as a juvenile on Earth. It hardly has matured to a power that is a responsible party for civilization. The so called 'liberals/leftists' of the USA have a much better 'handle' on strong character that leads to globally responsible stewardship. I might remind everyone, it is Russia that signed Kyoto and not the USA.
WWII was the most heinous wars experienced on Earth. We don't have to repeat it. It was heinous from the point of view of the German genocide of the Jews and from the heinous acts of loyality by the government of the USA to allow it all to continue without discerning it's proper place in morality. The USA is capable of great achievements but it's chronic alliance with profiteers has proved to be it's Achilles Heel.
The 21st Century has great demands on benevolence with little tolerance for violence. International relations had mostly settled into economic interaction and peaceful coexistance. It would be only logical the only entity that could dislodge peace would be an entity that attacked the infrastructure of 'settled' international interdependency. The approach by the Bush Administration toward terrorist networks has been completely wrong and destabilizing in a time when international stability assures movement toward control over the 'impetus' of terrorist networks.
Next week, a look at the 'impetus' of WWII and the failure to 'capture' a sustainable peace post WW I.
