Oh thank God, I swear if someone said "we saved your ass in World War 2, I would quit this thread."
I think that all the countries have bad things. I mean, we in Britain like to believe we are the stoic bulldogs who weathered the Nazi storm in the skies with the valiant efforts of the RAF, while deceiving them with tactical wit and plucky sleight-of-hand to keep things like D-Day a secret.
Yet in high school we were taught that we were no better. I can't remember which city it was, but it had a large industrial component key to the Nazi war machine. They were ordered to bomb the houses. Why? "Because the Nazi war machine can replace a factory in months, but it'll take them 16 years to replace the workers."
WWII was all about revenge. Germany wanted revenge on the world for the Treaty of Versailles. Russia wanted revenge for the devastation of Stalingrad. America for Pearl Harbour. Britain for the Blitz.
I think WWI left with Germany holding the blame for what was essentially a political hiccup that escalated into the slaughter of millions on either side. Lasting three years after it was supposed to end, everyone cut Germany's resources down to the bone leaving it in a pitiful state come the 1930s depression.
I have to be honest, I don't think there's a country in the world that wouldn't have supported a fascist regime if it fed their children and gave them pride and purpose in life. It's sad, but look at the sudden rise of Right Wing parties in poor countries Europe at the moment.
Sorry for this uber political post. I hope we can keep this talk sensible and level-headed, as I quite like talking history.
