“At times of crisis,” Winston S. Churchill said, “myths have historical importance.”
The former British Prime Minister was correct in saying that myths inspired soldiers to be courageous during World War Two — despite the overwhelming odds of death. However, some myths have been passed down from one generation to the next for decades.
Here are several lies about World War Two that many people still believe:
Most American Soldiers Were Eager To Fight Nazis
This lie was taught to me in high school.
A pervasive myth infiltrated history books and led people to believe that everyone always wanted to kill Nazis from the outset of World War Two. And while fighting for one’s country is admirable, most American soldiers were drafted into the military based on necessity (rather than patriotism).
“88% of Americans in 1940 opposed the idea of declaring war against the Axis powers in Europe,” per The National World War Two Museum. “As late as June, only 35% of Americans believed their government should risk war to help the British.”