The Rise of the Third Reich

Cordell Hull's analysis is not unreasonable, because the idea of ​​European integration actually originated from France and Germany. Emperor Napoleon of France and Emperor Wilhelm of Germany both dreamed of building an integrated Europe. The United Kingdom has always been an opponent of European integration... The dreams of Napoleon and William were shattered because of British resistance.

If the historical Napoleon and Emperor William of 21 years ago could force Britain to surrender, then an integrated Europe would have appeared long ago!

Of course, there are differences in the integration dreams of Germany and France - Germany wants European integration led by Germany, while France wants European integration led by France. And in Europe, only these two countries are qualified to lead integration. Although Britain also has the ability to lead Europe, the British islanders have always wanted to divide Europe rather than unify it.

Therefore, to unify Europe (not including the Soviet Union, or not including Italy), we must first choose a leader between France and Germany. Now it took the Germans 9 days to basically beat France to the ground. It is obvious that they have become the king of the European continent.

But the French will not be convinced, and other European countries will also have doubts. Because Emperor Napoleon also did the same thing back then - he was invincible on the European continent. But Napoleon failed in the end because he could not conquer Britain.

If Germany can defeat Britain now, then France will follow the German big brother wholeheartedly.

"I see," Roosevelt nodded and said with a frown, "We must help Britain now, or Europe will be one!"

Although the United States is powerful, it has not yet reached a point where it can confront a unified Europe (excluding the Soviet Union).

…

"We're going to win? Is this true? God, is this true?"

Berlin, Charlottenburg Palace. Emperor Wilhelm, in full military uniform, also had an expression of disbelief after listening to the report of Marshal Schleicher, the Minister of Defense.

"The enemy that had caused Germany to fight hard for five years actually collapsed...in just nine days?" The German emperor's eyes glanced at the leader and chancellor Hitler and the acting chief of general staff Hessmann. "There won't be another miracle on the Marne, right?"

"My Majesty," Marshal Hessmann was the calmest of the four people in the audience hall of Charlottenburg Palace. France's defeat had been expected by him.

"For France, there will be no miracles now. Because what can create miracles are countless people who are willing to die for their country... Miracles will only happen if the people put the country before their own personal life and death. But in France , after the First World War, the people who were afraid of war were already on top of the country.”

Whether the country comes first or the people comes first is probably the biggest difference between state socialism and social democracy.

Now Germans believe in country first, because during the interwar period the German people suffered great misfortunes due to the sudden weakening of a powerful country. Therefore, everyone hopes to rebuild a strong Germany and is willing to sacrifice for the country's rise.

France, on the other hand, took the opposite path. The French did not lose their empire, and naturally they did not know how precious the empire was. Moreover, the First World War caused France to shed so much blood that many French people put human lives above the country and were no longer willing to sacrifice for the motherland. This idea of ​​the French is reflected in politics through the French democratic system. The anti-war left-wing parties became the dominant force in French politics during the interwar period, especially in the 1930s. This is completely opposite to the fact that before the First World War, France as a whole wanted to be war-like and wanted to regain Alsace-Lorraine by defeating Germany and restore France's dominance on the European continent.

The German Emperor frowned after hearing Hessmann's explanation and said: "Germany lost 21 years ago and the whole country suffered, which is why National Socialism has worked hard. Today France is defeated, and the French people will also suffer the consequences of Germany's defeat." After the suffering that the people have experienced, maybe in 10 years there will be a French National Socialist Workers’ Party leading the French people to rise up?”

This is a bit like the changing of the times, but Old William's view still makes sense. France's history is not without its misfortunes, but it always recovers after the misfortune and maintains its status as a first-class power. This is not accidental, but has its inevitable factors.

But Hessmann was not at all worried about France defeating Germany in World War III.

"Your Majesty," Hessmann told the German emperor, "after defeating France we can come up with a final solution to Europe's millennium of strife."

"European integration?" Emperor Wilhelm asked. "Can we force France to join a European community led by Germany?"

Hersmann and Hitler looked at each other, and Hitler said: "Your Majesty, the French people can decide with their votes to join the European Community or bear severe responsibility for defeat!"

"Strict liability for defeat?"

Hitler said: "First of all, France must return Alsace-Lorraine; secondly, France must pay compensation of 226 billion gold marks; thirdly, France must hand over its entire fleet and aircraft, as well as all aircraft manufacturing plants and automobile manufacturing plants. and machinery and equipment for tank manufacturing plants; fourth, France cedes its colonies in North Africa and Syria; fifth, limits France’s force; sixth, before Britain surrenders, Germany will occupy several important ports in northern France and the Mediterranean coast As a base for fighting against Britain; seventh, if the French cannot surrender the fleet, then France must cede the Provence region."

These seven peace conditions had been considered by Hessman a long time ago. After the victory was basically sealed on April 16, Hessman proposed these conditions at the headquarters meeting. After discussion, Hitler also agreed to use these seven conditions as one of the basis for peace talks.

"It is indeed very severe!" said the German Emperor. "I am afraid the French will not accept it."

“Then they have a second option,” Hitler said, “to become the core of the future European community together with Germany.

First, Germany, France, Belgium, Denmark, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland will form a customs union, and the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Romania, Bulgaria, Finland and Switzerland will also be invited to join;

Secondly, Germany, France, Belgium and Poland will issue a common currency - the Euromark;

Third, Alsace-Lorraine will become the future capital of the European Community;

Fourthly, France surrenders her fleet to us for use in the war against England, or they fight alongside us. "

Obviously, the second option is what the German government really wants.

With Germany and France as the core (the real core is of course Germany), a huge European community was formed. The community will first start with a large common market, which will include at least France, Germany, Poland (including Western Ukraine and Lithuania), Denmark, Belgium, Slovakia, Luxembourg (will join Germany) and Hungary (will join voluntarily) .

The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Romania and Switzerland also have a high chance of joining. After all, a common market including Germany, France, Belgium and Poland is very large and attractive. Countries like the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Finland benefit from joining it.

At the same time, with France joining, the issuance of the Euromark is very feasible. Because the economies of France and Germany are both very large, combined they can almost compete with the United States, and their populations are larger than that of the United States. If Germany can win again in the Mediterranean and successfully control the oil-producing areas of the Middle East, then the European mark can be linked to oil and become a currency that can compete with the US dollar.

With the European Common Market and the Euromark, coupled with Germany's invincible army, the unification of Europe (excluding the Soviet Union and Italy) is no longer an illusory dream. Leading a unified Europe and then dominating the world has always been Germany's ideal.

"Will the French stand with us?" The German Emperor was still a little unsure.

Hessman shrugged and said with a smile: "Normally not, but they are defeated now! Defeat comes with a price. If they don't want to pay the price, then just keep fighting! When we occupy all of France, we can ourselves Organize a referendum and let the French people choose their future.

Moreover, even if the French choose to pay reparations, France will still have to join the European Community in the future. When we defeat Britain and dominate the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, France will have no choice! "

The Kaiser turned his attention to leader and chancellor Hitler, knowing that Hitler and Hersmann had differences over the issue of defeating Britain.

Hitler believed that he could negotiate with Britain. As long as Britain recognized Germany's power on the European continent and handed over the oil-producing areas of the Middle East (excluding the Suez Canal) to Germany, the British Empire could continue to exist.

But Hessman has always advocated a complete defeat of Britain, landing on British soil, and then occupying it!

"We should not give up our efforts for diplomatic victory," Hitler said slowly. "After all, Britain has maritime protection. Unless the German navy has the ability to defeat the British Royal Navy, it will be difficult to occupy the British mainland. Moreover, the rapid disintegration of the British Empire also has disadvantages. one side."

In fact, Hirschman did not want the British Empire to collapse quickly, which would allow the United States to control Canada and Australia and the Soviet Union to enter the Middle East. Then the Soviet Union and the United States will join forces to contain Germany!

"Diplomatic efforts should indeed not be given up," Hersman said of the decision of the headquarters meeting, "but the military strikes cannot be relaxed either. The first is to eliminate the British troops on the European continent as much as possible; the second is to launch operations on the southern front. , Seize the Mediterranean and the Middle East!”

"That's good," the German Emperor nodded. "How about the peace talks with France?"

Hitler replied: "We would like to ask the Queen of the Netherlands and the Spanish leader to come forward to mediate. The mediation can begin now."