The Nazis' Road To War: Hitler Prepares To Strike

[@philipmarsh2172]

Tom’s introduction masterfully evoked the gathering storm clouds of war.

[@MrShbbz]

he evokes the biased imperial history, the "good" British, the "bad" everyone else.

[@philipmarsh2172]

@@MrShbbz🙄 Using this argument in relation to the Nazis isn’t a good look.

[@MrShbbz]

@@philipmarsh2172 in what were Nazis more horrid then British Empire? all the evils of today, all of them, go back to BE and English arrogance, produced in English posh schools by such subaverage historians as these two are.

[@ATCQ94]

😂👍

[@ltownvidz]

Absolutely wasn’t prepared for that intro

[@Cubeforc3]

I had to turn off the audio podcast to come here and watch.. that.. in all its glory.

[@springboyBG]

You have outdone yourself Tom! Bravo!

[@MrShbbz]

UK historians cannot explain WW2, not at all, for they obviously ALL HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT SOVIET ROLL in the war, no clue at all! Ignorant.

[@MrShbbz]

what with? more lying?

[@Loratorafromkelowna]

All he needed was the little mustache

[@OldillWill]

@@Loratorafromkelownaand the Bavarian accent 👌🏻

[@alisonlilley3039]

Tom has channeled his inner Kaiser to emerge as Adolf Hitler!

[@konradbrodzinski5965]

Kaiser? Fuhrer, surely.

[@alisonlilley3039]

@ Back reference to episodes on WWI where Dominic INSISTS that there are close traits between Tom and Kaiser Wilhelm....

[@alisonlilley3039]

@ The next step is to check whether Hitler had/Tom has a pair of innappropriate plimsoles to wear when sailing....😆😆

[@GLEX234]

Check for correct shoes on Tom?

[@alisonlilley3039]

@ Yes, he needs some white or navy Aquila canvas espadrilles or a pair of Rodd & Gunn leather Gordon Bay boat shoes....but I fear he'll insist on wearing black leather, pointed toe, boots to go with his (sigh) suit....see the lovely sketch of Wilhelm II on board his yacht Meteor , at Cowes 1892 !

[@nicolek.3614]

Undoubtedly, the greatest one minute and 42 second opening in the history of KZbin! Congratulations! 😂😂

[@hyennussquatch4597]

Hello from Czech republic, Bren gun (ZB-26) was designed by famous gun producer Zbrojovka Brno. BREN = BRno - ENfield. Check out their ZH-29 - a great semiautomatic rifle from 1929. Škoda produced big artillery guns (not hand guns) amongst other things. There was also ČKD which was another giant industrial producer: tanks, trains, whole custom built factories, Praga cars, electric motors and generators etc. ČKD was founded by Emil Kolben (nomen omen - Kolben means piston in german:) who was bohemian Jew and worked as chief design engineer in Edison company in Shenectady. He was also a good friend of Tesla and also deposed many patents regarding electric motors and generators. When he returned to Bohemia he started his own company which soon became an industrial giant. He was killed by Nazis in Theresienstadt after they had confiscated his company. Pretty sad all this. In my opinion it was a big mistake to dissolve Austria-Hungary. Habsburgs were anti nazis and with the all imperial lands and people we would have been much stronger. Bohemian industry would have been able to supply the weapons. Viribus Unitis. Wilson had no legitimacy to dissolve the empire with the help of nationalists as Masaryk and other naive guys. Here´s a quote by an important 19th century Czech politician and historian Palacký: "If Austria-Hungary did not exist, we would have to invent it" That said, i enjoy your podcasts very much. Thank you.

[@johnmoorefilm]

🎯

[@ekesandras1481]

Absolutely d'accord. The big mistake was already half a year bevore Munich, to allow him to occupy Austria. Than Czechoslovakia was encircled from all sides. The big mistake on the local level was, that Austria and Czechoslovakia didn't cooperate and make a strong alliance. Both states were threatened existentially, but they were fighting each on its own. The distrust created in 1918/19 was just too recent. The same could be said about Poland.

[@j.langer5949]

@@ekesandras1481 Poland actually took a chunk of Czechoslovakia with the Germans in 1938. Not so innocent after all.

[@hyennussquatch4597]

@@ekesandras1481 The first big mistake after the Versailles system (which was itself a mistake) was to let Hitler take the Rhineland. Hard to understand that. It would have been better if the Central Powers had won the First World War. No Hitler, no holocaust, no Jewish emigration to the USA, Central Europe led by Germany would be a technological giant, later perhaps a war with Stalin to free Soviet slaves. And then close cooperation with Russia...

[@secondlook]

As a Hungarian I agree, it has set us all back centuries.

[@Dudu-ox2rd]

Wonderful Dominic, thank you

[@resurrectedstarships]

I eas just thinking in the beginning how shockingly similar that speech was to Vladimir Putin's announcement of his 'special military operation '.

[@northernbohemianrealist]

Listen to a similar speech on January 20.

[@Sean-p3o]

Or American Presidents pre Iraq Afghanistan Iran Syria Libya etc etc etc

[@daydays12]

@@Sean-p3o American Presidents did NOT say that the USA had to invade Iraq to rescue the millions of poor Americans in Iraq being badly treated by the Iraqis, or a similar down trodden American population in Afghanistan.

[@Sean-p3o]

@@daydays12Nah they just lied about WMDs while doing Israel’s bidding If you bother to dig a little you will find plenty of evidence that Ukrainian Ultra Nationalists turned on there Russian Citizens John Meirsheimer Jeff Sachs Col Baud ret Aaron Marte Max Blumenthal Col Macgregor Ret Col Wilkerson who was Colin Powell dep

[@daydays12]

@@Sean-p3o What a confused post. My word!

[@ropeburnsrussell]

Tom grew so heated, he didnt need his Hanseatic robes today.

[@Mute_Nostril_Agony]

To me he looked more like Bobby Sands wrapped up in a shit-stained blanket during the Dirty Protest

[@nickcalmes8987]

Your podcast deserves far more attention and recognition than your subscription count. You should have twenty times the number. It has to be my favorite history podcast

[@KarlRoloff69]

I started listening to the audio version but once I heard Toms intro i had to watch the video. A+ on the hand gesticulations!

[@coachmen8508]

Mein Gott !!! Das war wunderbar !

[@rolandrabier5984]

Putin said the same about the Russian speaking minority in Dombass.

[@Sean-p3o]

Id refer you to Daniel Davis and Judge Napolitanos guests

[@daydays12]

@@Sean-p3o Who are they?

[@bellumthirio139]

im sure you could also find a welsh / scottish / irish nationalist say the same about their ethnic group in england

[@plebius]

​@bellumthirio139 no, you actually can't. Speaking for Ireland. I'm pretty sure you won't for the rest of your examples. P.s none of the groups you mentioned have declared a war. They claimed they were combatants when captured, but there was no formal declaration, no pressure push to justify them going to war etc.

[@bellumthirio139]

@ the irish case is even easier, your nationalists want to liberate the Irishmen of northern ireland just because you live on the same island

[@TimesFM4532]

Tom Holland oddly good fascist speecher

[@rogerpattube]

National Socialist

[@TimesFM4532]

@@rogerpattube mean the The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is not democratic, not really a republic and only half of Korea. Sometimes what someone calls themselves doesn’t gel with reality

[@daydays12]

@@rogerpattube Indeed. Not fascist but nazi.

[@ColinDoweinRiddle]

@@TimesFM4532Well, Fascism did actually branch off from Socialism. Both Hitler and Mussolini were at one time part of their nations’ respective Socialist parties. Matter of fact, when Mussolini was in exile in Switzerland, he became quite friendly with one Vladimir Lenin. There was much mutual admiration there, and Lenin was rather upset after the Italian Socialist infighting during and because of WW1 caused Mussolini to breakaway and form his own party. He went on to say: “What a waste that we lost Mussolini. He is a first-rate man who would have lead our party to power in Italy.” Mussolini was after all, a lifetime Socialist. Hitler as well was part of the Socialist movement in post-WW1 Germany. He would also go on to play a major role in a party that branched off from Socialism. Even upon close examination, you can see that Nazism and Fascism implemented aspects of Socialism. Their main focus however was not a class-struggle, but more of a socialism for their nation and/or ethnicity. Now, I can’t say that their ideologies were purely socialist because they also implemented some policies that were seen as traditionally conservative. But to say that they weren’t socialist at all is at worst intellectual dishonesty, and at best, ignorance.

[@chrissslike-n1h]

A little to close to home😢. P.s. Great presentation, even without an accent!👍👍

[@DenethordeSade.90]

BRAVO Tom Holland! Powerful beginning!

[@jmorrison230582]

the slightly strange pronunciation of Czechoslovakia is correct. Between the wars there was more of an emphasis of the two parts being separate, i.e. Czecho-Slovakia, rather than just being one word/country as it was called post-1945. I guess this was because there was an awareness of the Czechs and Slovaks being distinct identities, and there was the existing model of Austria-Hungary (or Norway-Sweden until Norwegian independence in 1905).

[@MrVorpalsword]

on Czechoslovakia ..... absolutely ground breaking modernist, functionalist architecture in the 1920s and 30s, Tatra cars were at the van of technology then too, so presumably thinkers, painters, poets and scientists etc. - one of the tragedies of the Wars Hot AND Cold both.

[@coachmen8508]

Thank you !!!

[@RichWoods23]

22:16 "Lignite. I don't really know what that is but..." It's filthy coal. Unless you like sulphur in your air it's nowhere near as good to have as anthracite, which is merely dirty coal but has a higher calorific value. (I'm channelling my 1977 geography teacher here.)

[@paulharrison9030]

You certainly did evoke the sense of Hitlerian oratory Tom. And thanks for not being tempted by the accent😀

[@evanstj5]

As good a portrayal of mad Adolf as I've ever seen and heard. Well done. Hitler's technique was always the same. Hed start by speaking low and slow during his introductory remarks. After a while he'd gradually turn up the heat, reaching a ranting climax to work his audience into a frenzy of approval. The other Nazi leaders never came close in their speechmaking - they probably didn't dare. Apart from Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda minister and master of mass manipulation. His performance in 1943 at the infamous "do you want total war?" event in the Berlin Sportspslast is little short of demonic. After the disaster of Stalingrad Goebbels' speech is preparing the German people for a deadly final phase of the war in which they'd see their towns, cities, factories and communities shattered and their reich crumble and burn around them.

[@bobtaylor170]

You have probably seen the photos of Hitler running through a repertoire of gestures on a photo studio in Munich, in 1924. He was trying to find moves which would abet his oratory. On the one hand, they're comical, on the other, it's like watching Lucifer working on his breaking away speech to God. They do tend to support the hypothesis that he started as a total opportunist.

[@tancreddehauteville764]

Goebbels came close to matching Hitler in speeches.

[@rogerpattube]

Guy wasn’t mad.

[@miked2205]

You people always only make it sound like Hitler had some magically powers and just tricked everyone, and not that he actually made really good points and was right about a lot.

[@mopalamimosemudi09]

That opening...

[@victoriamacgregor5466]

I am spellbound. I know the events for the most part, but all the details and motives bring this to life 🤩

[@kawfps]

Thank you for the quality work you do. Peeking into the window of history whilst Tom and Dominic hold my hand! 😅

[@dsjwhite]

I laughed so much and yet you're describing terrible events. Not only that, but you are drawing clear parallels with today and Putin. Not at all funny. But I'm learning and cannot tear myself away. You guys are mysteriously magic. Thank you.

[@scottscottsdale7868]

Trump would like a word.

[@Sean-p3o]

What do you think the parallels are between Putin and Hitler ?

[@scottscottsdale7868]

@ they said it; Putin falsly demonizing Ukraine with the Nazi BS. Personally InthinknTrumpnis a lot like Hitler too.

[@t.andrewhanes872]

Well said.

[@oisinhennessy6846]

​@@Sean-p3o invading their neighbours

[@garylynch9206]

That opening speech actually makes sense! Your performance has brought me round to your point of view😂

[@joannemoore3976]

That was quite scary... and then the complete change in a heartbeat back into Tom again 😂

[@bencrocker8317]

I'm unashamed to admit, that intro gave me goosebumps.

[@nigelmcconnell1909]

That opening took me back to my childhood watching the episode of The Goodies when Graham was in a rowboat trying to tow Britian outside of the 5 mile limit while Bill and Tim stood on the beech chanting "You're a megular maniac!"

[@TheGameKat]

Good gravy. That intro got my attention.

[@thegeekhome8933]

Interestingly enough Hitler only visited the Eagles nest 4 or 5 times. He actually hated it as he didn't like heights. When he stayed at Obersalzberg he stayed at his other house called The Berghof which was only slightly elevated.

[@ErikHare]

I honestly think that it is fair to say that Nazis we're rather consistently more interested in resources than actual people, Germans or not. The desire to conquer Sudetrnland and really the entire Czech part of Czechoslovakia was more about grabbing the industrial base I believe.

[@CatNostril]

I am speechless Tom!

[@grippingyarnsuk]

I think Nev held back because the Spitfires and RADAR weren’t ready .

[@MaximeDurocher-q1e]

There's nothing like a good introduction that was a great video very interesting thank you

[@HappyCodingZX]

Whilst watching Valkyrie, when Terence Stamp's General Beck is introduced, I said to myself, oi, that's not General Beck - that's General Zod!

[@Bronxguyanese]

Thank goodness for the treaty of Versailles. The treaty created a German monster but still accomplished it's aims of Germany being productive militarily. Remember Germany invaded Poland, France and Russia with horses.

[@blastulae]

Germany had only been united since 1871. The Allies should have split it at least in four, eg two Catholic and two Protestant kingdoms or republics. But the menace of the Soviet Union might have prompted a stronger bulwark against Communism in Middle Europe.

[@HVACSoldier]

The Czechs make great firearms, as well. IF Britain and France didn’t declare war on Germany, after they invaded Poland, I think Hitler would’ve eventually tried to annex part of northern Italy.

[@j.langer5949]

No. That was not his plan. He made it clear in his second book.

[@richardcutt727]

These bite size history lessons are delightful. I loved your Little Bighorn story. Bloody Knife to Custer, today we return home by a trail we do not know...George Armstrong was never a listener.

[@sifridbassoon]

Props on your pronunciation of Hjalmar Schacht. The H is silent

[@RossTaylor90]

This episode was excellent!

[@JiminPalmSprings]

“This is what happens when you have different views on tailoring”😂😂😂awesome line!

[@BillGaliette]

Seeing Tom and Jim at the breakfast table must have been a treat every morning

[@gracefuller9981]

South Africa here, I say we play both cricket and rugby here. And we’re closer than Oz.

[@FulmenTheFinn]

11:38 Yes and no. While prior to 1938 Austria hadn't belonged to the modern German state created in 1871, what people forget is that before that Austria did belong to what people understood to be Germany for hundreds and hundreds of years. She belonged to the German Confederation, the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, East Francia and the Frankish Empire before that. As a matter of fact Bohemia and Moravia also belonged to most of these. Find any map from before 1866 that outlines Germany on it, and you'll see the borders of Germany always roughly match those that she had in the summer of 1939, just before WW2. Austria as an entity separate from Germany was a new concept, and I'd argue that it didn't fully take hold until the 1960s-1970s, when the first post-WW2 generations of Austrians started influencing Austrian society. Incidentally, some of the names for the 1866 Austro-Prussian War include the German Civil War, the German-German War, the German Brothers' War, and the Fraternal War.

[@AFGuidesHD]

And that the people of Austria in 1919 wanted to be part of Germany. Even though Britain would make war in 1939 to prevent the democratic wishes of a people being fulfilled, doing so in 1938 was even less justifiable. In 1939 the Brits at least had the 'Germany can't be trusted' thing.

[@KimMarsh-c4n]

Kleindeutschland vs. Grossdeutschland. Bismarck opted for the former and I respect his political judgment as it avoided a general European conflict,

[@AFGuidesHD]

@@KimMarsh-c4n 'I respect Bismarck for appeasing the British'. Is what you're saying. Had Britain not given Poland the guarantee, thereby causing WW2 or had German won it, it wouldn't be as politically incorrect to say you respect the Leader for pursuing a Great Germany and bequeathing Europe with a strong European Union that stretches from Lisbon to the Urals.

[@FulmenTheFinn]

@@KimMarsh-c4n 1866 was never going to result in Greater Germany. At the most Prussia would've annexed a bit of Bohemia. I believe the YT channel "Old Britannia" has a video covering this.

[@bolivar2153]

@@AFGuidesHD How does invading Poland in 1939 in any way represent, defend or respect the democratic wishes of Poland?

[@brix7738]

“Un-friend of the rest is history, adolf hitler”

[@jenA9026]

The Nazis! Drink! Love the passion and humour you both bring to every topic. And Tom: Awesome Hitler impersonation (I mean that in a good way).

[@JmoulFrancis]

The storm clouds of twists and cliffhangers are starting to gather 😅

[@jenA9026]

Hahaha. Love it. 😂

[@TangoMikeLima]

I can't find any other way to contact the podcast, except X that I don't use, so here goes: I am paying for my RIHC membership through the Apple Podcasts app. How do I then get access to the member-only KZbin videos, if I occasionally would prefer to see the guys talking, too, and not just listen? (If you consider replying something unhelpful and disparaging about Apple, don't bother.)

[@Visherex]

That's two episodes in a row I've had to skip partly through the intro because it was so.......good

[@gdbalck]

Putin can't even come up with a new playbook. Copied Adolf's notes and changed the names of people and places with minimal edits.

[@j.langer5949]

Still had more valid reason to attack compared to US and their foreign wars.

[@johnpowell9174]

Gave up on this podcast here on YouTub because of the frequent adverts, have gone to view it on Spotify.

[@drscopeify]

A very important and rarely discussed element is how the British people were against war at all costs in 1937 which sets the stage for the Conservatives to clearly favor Chamberlin after Stanley Baldwin stepped down. The rise of Chamberlin is the message of anti war, this might be due to economic weakness as you see in the rise of someone like Trump who wants to appease Putin and like Chamberlin thinks he can end wars and prevent wars by the ink of a pen. Appeasement is outcome of western weakness out of internal financial fears but rarely ends well. I could easily see Trump giving the peace in our time speech.

[@robertewing3114]

Those speech words were withdrawn in the House of Commons debate a few days later as momentary sentiment.

[@McVet3]

Mr Holland, that was absolutely brilliant. Wow. It doesn't matter how many times I've heard that in German without understanding (even though I was stationed there, they all spoke English, but I digress). I fully understand now the context. I could picture in my mind's eye the video of Hitler giving that speech, and just wow, thank you for that. Well done

[@erichaynes5826]

Bought one of your books for my kid for Christmas Dominic! Six to go!

[@noblemann4898]

Lorenzo St. DuBois got nothing against Tom. Nay, Sir Tom!

[@hansulrichboning8551]

The real turning point was in march 1939 when Hitler occupied CSR totally. With breaking the munich agreement he threw of his mask. The western powers should have reacted much harsher on this agression(with an ultimatum or sending forces to Poland) . I think, Hitler aimed the capable czech arms industry for the big war he ever wanted.

[@edinburgh1578]

Hitler took acting lessons and voice training to prepare for his hammy performances. He never lost his backwoodsman upper Austrian accent with it's rolling Rs.

[@Porkcfish]

The Jimmy Carter joke was a deep cut. I enjoyed that thoroughly.

[@johncarroll772]

Tom puts Robert Carlyle in the shade

[@Deans-jm3uf]

Before he even said it, I was impressed by the hand gestures.

[@richardcutt727]

Great stuff. A favourite topic of mine. Churchill was the only senior British politician who knew what Hitler really was. Thank God he became PM in the nick of time. But that is another movie! Darkest Hour.

[@miked2205]

Churchill was the worst thing to ever happen to Britain. Look at it today. Indians own more property in London than Brits. Pakistani rape gangs targeting White girls. Most popular baby name is Mohammed in practically every major city. Yeah, it’s actually starting to seem like the good guys lost WW2. I’d rather be speaking German than living with this absolute mess we have now.

[@awesomemrk1]

Btw does Dom do the pod from a book shop? Turn the covers around for Gods sake man!!

[@evelyncarrillo4776]

It’s amazing Tom’s rendition of Hitler. I don’t support or agree with him. But we do ever hear the translated version acted out. So to hear it as Germans would have, I felt rallied to free or German people trapped in Slovakia! It’s not that I agree, but it’s amazing how to see how and why the crowds could be so frenzied. Thank you for helping that come to life! It’s only by understanding why and how things played out as they did that we can prevent similar fates from happening in the future.

[@mephistoXFC459V]

The Bren was a British-built version of a Czech-designed gun. 'Bren' is an amalgamation of Brno (where it was designed) and Enfield (where it was built).

[@domkane30]

I wonder what Tom's neighbours thought of his introduction?

[@daydays12]

lol!

[@Vladimír-Ráth]

Náš tatíčku Masaryku, láska tvá a vzdor, posílila u Zborova bojovníků sbor. Ty jsi naše moc a síla duše národa, Tebou se nám navrátila naše svoboda.

[@TribuniPlebis]

Tom as the Leader was grand.

[@u.z.9383]

Sorry, but the vast majority of Germans in the 1930s were not very warlike. They cheered their Hitler for reconquering the territories lost after World War I without firing a single shot. Hitler was upset when the troops returning from Prague were not greeted as heroes by a cheerful crowd. The famous American journalist (what was his name again?) telegraphed home that the Germans were absolutely not ready to go to war. Which was true. But they were even less ready to rise up against their leader and put an end to this wonderful re-enactment of a heroic past (with modern costumes and the latest gadgets).

[@ctchich4469]

When Tom said ridea Triumph through Prague, in a Roman victory sense or a 1980's Triumph Dolomite? As the latter came to my mind first

[@jonfoxtrot5135]

Chronologically, did Britain and France first declare war on Germany, and how soon after, did Hitler attack Britain and France, and did Hitler strike the first blow?

[@pbryan1967]

Neville Chamberlain has been shamefully treated by historians. The consensus opinion of ALL military high commands in 1938 was that in the event of a German invasion, Czechoslovakia could hold out for AT MOST 21 days. Add to that the fact that France 🇫🇷 was committed to the Maginot Line in the west ie. They NEVER would have aided the Czechs in any serious way (which was demonstrated in spades during the Polish campaign a year later).

[@marumaru6084]

Yes and Churchill the opposite. Victors write history.

[@roddyteague6246]

Chamberlain realised after Munich that GB had to ramp up war production or face annihilation. Also there were others & not just Churchill who realised that war was inevitable. Robert Vansittart is a good example. It was surprising to me that leading appeasers such as Halifax & Cripps were allowed to stay in office. Spineless.

[@jenA9026]

There is some truth to both your comments. Still, Hitler really wanted his war.

[@robertewing3114]

Sane assessment. MI5 advocated the same policy in late Sep 1938.

[@garylynch9206]

Yep. Whatj on Earth could Britain have done for the distant Czechs, if they couldn't help the closer Poles, and 22-mile away France? Chamberlain's mistake was even getting involved where he had to appease. He should have told the French to either fight or not, but leave us out of it. 'Leave it Kev!! 'E ain't wurf it!!'

[@JoeWhere]

That was probably, if not definitely the best introduction to any video I have ever seen. Tom you absolute mensch.

[@macmclaughlin81]

I was alarmingly stirred by the opening monologue.

[@steveinthemountains8264]

Holy Shit, Tom & Dom! Tom's Teutonic intro had me running for the bomb shelter....and I live in the States!! Hahahaha....good stuff, guys.

[@HBTSO]

Aye Tom you were way into that speech off the top 😅😅😅

[@richardcutt727]

My paternal grandfather, John Garland Cutt was a 26 years old police sergeant in York in early September 1938.

[@MarkGovern]

Yes and he was. The uk and allies allowed the problem to fester and they should have dealt with him long before he invaded Poland. The USA also permitted Hitler to destroy Europe by not intervening earlier. Russia and Israel today is a good comparison to Germany in 1930s , allowing aggression to go unchallenged until it’s too late.

[@Sean-p3o]

Why didn’t Britain declare War on Stalins Russia for invading Poland

[@Sean-p3o]

What about Western Aggression

[@blastulae]

@@Sean-p3oBecause the UK and France couldn’t beat Germany and the USSR.

[@Colonel_Blimp]

@@Sean-p3oit’s been answered many times. The allies had given no undertakings to Poland with regard to Russia.

[@bennewnham4497]

Starting watching and things...took a turn.

[@beaky29]

I take my hat off to Tom’s magnificent delivery of Hitler’s speech. Magnificent. He took on the role and looked completely absorbed! I think he has found his niche

[@richardcutt727]

PS I am with Dominic (vs Max Hadtings). Britain should have stayed out of WW1.

[@johnpowell9174]

You contrast the [lack of propaganda] forTyrolean German speakers with Sudetan German speakers but don't contrast for Swiss or Polish speakers. I note that you mention Hitler's obsession with Czechoslovakia and this may explain the direction of Goebbels' efforts. But us there more to this? Why did the Anschluss never extend to Switzerland and northern Italy?

[@AFGuidesHD]

Indeed it's an interesting part of the story. Why did Britain guarantee Danzig ? And not Alsace Lorraine ? It's almost as if they wanted to instigate something.

[@humblescribe8522]

​@AFGuidesHD is this some weird conspiracy that WWII was all Britain's fault and nothing to do with those lovely Nazis?

[@Verdanameridian]

Love the impression at the start 😁. It's interesting hearing the speech in English

[@richardcutt727]

The movie Munich Edge of War gives a great feel for the Munich conference. Chamberlain comes across as a good but, of course, ultimately flawed man. Tim Bouverie's book, Appeasing Hitler, is a must-read.

[@robertewing3114]

You also have to remember there is a world of difference between the Heston reception and what followed it on the streets and ultimately in Downing Street. Chamberlain wrote that even the descriptions in the papers give no idea of the scenes as I drove from Heston to the Palace. John Major once remarked of a post-war controversy What else could he say? I think Chamberlain said the right thing, but politically it was the wrong thing, it could be exploited and has been exploited to this day.

[@ohnezuckerohnefett]

It's actually called 'hitlarious'.

[@nicknewman7848]

Now I know what Boris Johnson as Hitler would be like. Terrifying.

[@tehonlyFreeman]

Those hand gestures were worth it to be fair...

[@maryj5593]

OMG. Tom you found your inner, not a friend of the show Hitler. You must have needed a long lie down after that, I certainly did with a large drink. Happy New Year gentlemen

[@jameshudson169]

The Munich analogy is invoked a lot. So is anti-imperialism. Giving up the Suez canal, the Panama canal, Hong Kong and now Diego Garcia. These are all bad decisions.

[@a.basarakbay1763]

God, I am scared to admit how much I loved Tom's Hitler impression.

[@michaelshrumii1494]

Hand gestures were on point

[@MegaBloggs1]

because churchill made lots of strategic and tactical mistakes like the war in the desert and italy

[@barbararice6650]

The Czechs actually were oppressing their German citizens though

[@AFGuidesHD]

Slovaks, Poles and Hungarians too. The Leaders biggest mistake was not inviting Poland and Hungary to the Munich Conference and thereby clearly make the Czechoslovak issue a multilateral issue, instead of allowing the Brits to dress it up as purely "German aggression against small country".

[@bolivar2153]

@@AFGuidesHD It’s important to remember that Czechoslovakia itself wasn’t invited to the Munich Conference, which was held in 1938 to determine their fate. This decision was made by Britain, France, Italy, and Germany, with the Czechs excluded from the process altogether. It’s hard to imagine that Hitler would have welcomed their presence, as he had already made clear his intentions to expand Germany at their expense. The Munich Agreement, therefore, wasn’t a multilateral resolution; it was a moment of appeasement where major powers essentially sacrificed Czechoslovakia’s sovereignty to avoid conflict with Germany. The idea that the Czechs were somehow to blame is a revisionist argument that disregards the reality of their marginalization and the aggressive policies of Nazi Germany, which were the root cause of the crisis.

[@AFGuidesHD]

@@bolivar2153 It was mostly the allies who failed to partition the Austro-Hungarian Empire on ethnic lines. Leaving Poles, Germans, Slovaks, Hungarians in a single state. I've read various things about the Czechs failing to honour agreements, and centralize power into Prague, and not decentralizing power to autonomous regions. Even if that were the case I wouldn't particularly blame them for the problem to begin with.

[@Sean-p3o]

Comparing Putin to Hitler is Lazy thinking Especially from two qualified people like this

[@yp77738yp77739]

There’s much happening today that could be used in justification to question should he have been stopped. In whose interest was it done.

[@Sean-p3o]

America

[@Monty_Jackson]

Blood Hell! Its the daleks!!

[@alisonlilley3039]

@@Monty_Jackson Absolutely. I’ve seen the Doctor Who episode. I know the truth, even if Tom and Dominic hide it.

[@annysqu]

If you look at pre WW1 photos of CZ then you can see many shop signs in German - a lost horizon of Austro-Hungarian time but later the terrible annihilation of the Jewish population. On side note I once knew s/one who worked at Skoda in Plsen and had a Felicia myself.

[@eazypeazy33]

We are watching this shht happen all over again.

[@canchero724]

History keeps repeating something something...

[@Sean-p3o]

American Anglo Proxy War