Was Venezuela Trump’s Sudetenland?

 The Sudetenland, Munich and the Policy of Appeasement

The Sudetenland was an area at the western edge of Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). In 1938, Adolf Hitler demanded the right to annex the Sudetenland and make it part of Germany on the grounds that its inhabitants were mostly German speakers. The Munich Conference was convened to settle Hitler’s claim, and the British and French famously gave in to his demand for the sake of what Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain called “peace in our time.” Nevertheless, a year later, Hitler invaded Poland and World War II broke out. As a result, “Munich” has become a shorthand for the futility of appeasing aggressive political leaders. Appeasement doesn't work because it emboldens the aggressors to make further demands. If we appease an aggressor today, we will only have to fight him tomorrow. Today, we see references to “Munich” used to explain why we need to resist Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Another Lesson

However, “Munich” has another lesson to offer. It is that appeasement may also be a trap for the leader who is appeased. He may later start a war believing that no one will resist him only to learn that his belief is wrong. The war that Hitler started was a disaster for Germany. More than 6 million Germans died in the war. The country’s cities were flattened by the allied bombing. Almost 80% of the buildings in Berlin were destroyed and something like 70% of those in Cologne. 20% of Germany’s housing stock and almost half of its infrastructure – railroads, bridges and roads – were destroyed. By 1945, the German people were starving. The results of the Munich Conference were even worse in some ways for Germany than they were for the rest of Europe.

From Hitler's point of view, the takeover of the Sudetenland and the Munich Conference were a test of the allies' willingness to resist his aggression. Trump’s overthrow of the government of Venezuela may be seen as a similar test to see whether anyone would resist.  Trump encountered no serious resistance either from other countries or from political factions within the United States, and like Hitler, Trump has been emboldened to undertake bigger adventures. We can see the result now in Iran. If Trump continues down the path of expanding aggression, he will eventually encounter resistance from other major powers just as Hitler did. So far, no major power has dared to challenge our attack on Iran, although, the Russians and the Chinese are giving intelligence and logistical support to Iran. So far, Trump has been able to do what he wants without serious consequences to us, but do we believe that will contine indefinitely? No doubt, Hitler believed that in the fall of 1939.

Stop the Madness

Engaging in ever-widening aggression is madness. We can stop this it because, fortunately for us, we do not live in Nazi Germany. We still have freedom to criticize and to resist our government’s policies. If we value our country or the future of our children and grandchildren, we must resist with all our power. If we do not wish to see them searching for food in the ruins of New York or Chicago, we must stop the madness of expanding war now.

This year's election gives us an opportunity to stop the madness. If Trump's opponents take control of Congress, they can put the brakes on his adventurism, and there have been many political and economic signs indicating that his opponents may be able to do so. However, that will happen only if they work hard to make it happen. So, this is not a year to sit on the sidelines. Do whatever you can to help to take our country back from the madman now leading it.