Betting Quote by Milton Mayer
“Once the war began, the government could do anything 'necessary' to win it; so it was with the 'final solution of the Jewish problem,' which the Nazis always talked about but never dared undertake, not even the Nazis, until war and its 'necessities' gave them the knowledge that they could get away with it. The people abroad who thought that war against Hitler would help the Jews were wrong. And the people in Germany who, once the war had begun, still thought of complaining, protesting, resisting, were betting on Germany's losing the war. It was a long bet. Not many made it.”
About This Quote
War creates a context where extreme measures become politically feasible, allowing regimes to pursue genocidal policies under the guise of necessity.
In simple terms: War enables radical policies.
Key Takeaway
War can legitimize atrocities.
Themes
war and ethics
state power
genocide
political necessity
historical hindsight
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
historical commentary
political analysis
When to use this quote
- government decision-making during war
- civil resistance under authoritarian rule
- international expectations of wartime intervention
Key Concepts
totalitarianism
moral compromise
public complacency
Practical Applications
- historical analysis of policy decisions
- educational curricula on ethics of war
Questions to Reflect On
- How does war alter moral thresholds for governments?
- What responsibilities do citizens have when war is used to justify extreme policies?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that external pressures, not just war, also shaped Nazi actions, but the quote emphasizes war's pivotal role.
