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France (and England) refused to live up to their obligations from the Treaty of Versailles, and allowed Germany to rearm and move their military into the Rhineland, annex the parts of Austria and the Sudetenland, and pretty much take over Czechoslovakia. In response, France and England signed a treaty to protect Poland from invasion. When NAZI Germany invaded Poland, they did nothing. Granted, that was what popular public opinion throughout Europe wanted. They remembered WWI, and the horrors it unleashed. So, the people of Europe wanted peace, no matter what the cost.

I Agree but that doesn't necessarily mean France or England knew about the Holocaust at the time they appeased Nazi Germany.

Agreed. However, while for the most part, they were not directly responsible for the deaths, I also blame the people of Europe for allowing these things to come to pass. For the NAZIs to take power and expand their power throughout Europe. For wanting peace above all else. Effectively feeding the neighbors to the alligators, hoping that the alligator would be full before their turn. Or that they'd be the last eaten.

Exactly. Ignorance and complacency was a factor of the holocaust.

Of course, we're seeing exactly the same sort of thing today, throughout Europe, and the US, especially in the US Congress.

You nailed it! History is repeating itself.

I guess I should have been more clear on one thing... I was not blaming all of Europe for the holocaust. I was blaming all of Europe for allowing NAZI Germany to grow militarily until they were nearly able to take over the world. Frankly, I believe that if it weren't for Hilter's breaking his non-aggression pact with Stalin in 1941, he would have eventually been able to "break" Great Britain during the "Blitz." Operation Barbarossa opened a new front for NAZI Germany, which sapped resources from the fight against GB.

It was NAZI Germany that DID all the horrid things against humanity, murdering over 12 million people, however, had Europe not allowed NAZI Germany to grow into the military power, the holocaust may never have happened, outside of Germany's borders.

Mark