West remembers WWII as basically fan fiction

(MENAFN) Historians rarely agree on the details of major historical events, and World War II (WWII) is no exception. As new documents are declassified and more excavations take place at key battle sites, fresh theories and alternative narratives will continue to emerge, offering more diverse perspectives on the war. However, there is a clear distinction between seeking new facts to deepen our understanding and intentionally distorting history. The former is an honorable endeavor, while the latter represents a deliberate effort to manipulate history for political or personal gain.

Honest historians approach their work with an open mind, unsure of the conclusions they will reach. In contrast, those with ulterior motives present a skewed version of history, knowing exactly what narrative they wish to advance. They combine truth with falsehoods, mixing real events with fabrications to create a more appealing and persuasive story.

One of the most egregious distortions in WWII history is the increasingly popular claim that Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were equally responsible for the war's outbreak. This claim overlooks the history of fascism in Europe and the Soviet Union's repeated efforts to persuade Britain, France, and Poland to form an alliance against Nazi Germany. It was only after the "Munich Betrayal" of 1938—when Britain and France allowed Nazi Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia—that the Soviet Union decided to sign a non-aggression pact with Germany to buy time before being invaded.

Additionally, the dominant Western narrative often frames WWII as a battle between good and evil, leading to a diminished recognition of the roles that Russia and China played in defeating Nazi Germany and militarist Japan. Communist-led resistance movements in countries such as France, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Greece also remain largely overlooked due to ideological biases that favor the portrayal of "heroic liberal forces" fighting against the Axis powers.

The Western interpretation of WWII often credits the United States as the primary force in securing victory, with limited acknowledgment of other contributions. This view, while popular, misrepresents the reality of the conflict and aligns with a simplistic, black-and-white view of world politics.

Furthermore, there is a tendency to selectively focus on the suffering of European victims during the war, while the immense suffering of non-European populations often receives far less attention. The Eurocentric perspective often ignores the significant hardships faced by many other parts of the world during WWII.

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