A note of thanks to the USA from one of the more grateful Europeans.

[DinoDoc]

Perhaps you could explain all of the historical references to an alliance between Finland and Nazi Germany.

[Dauphin]

Which historical references in particular?

[Pekka]

i don't know what history books you read. Maybe you could show me those references.

[Pekka]

dinodoc, this is a subject all finns have particular knowledge so choose your words wisely .

[Adam Smith]

Did anyone happen to read farther down the article...about the role of Radio Free Europe, the carrot and stick approach to the Jaruzelski government, and aid to the post-Communist government of Poland? And many of the older American posters here had a role in this because they paid for it. Nobody's asking for gratitude, just recognizing the facts.

[Saint Marcus]

the only link between finland and nazi germany was that they were both fighting the russians for a period of time. that's it.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Jaakko
And did you know that Finnish Jews willingly fought side by side with their fellow Finns?

Yes, I knew that. Prime Minister Rangell even described them as being decent people and loyal citizens whose sons fought in the army like other Finns in response to Himmler's demand that they be turned over.

Pekka: Maybe you could show me those references.

If you wish:

In World War II, Finland was allied with Germany, and Finnish troops fought against The Soviet Union in an effort to regain the territory it lost in The Russo-Finnish War of 1939-1940.

https://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/4952/Scandinavia.htm

It goes on from there to describe the meritorious service Finnish Jews provided in the fight against the Soviets.

In 1939, Nazi-Germany and the Soviet Union suddenly announced an non-aggression pact. In the secret clauses of the pact the two countries agreed on the spheres of influence in Eastern Europe in case of war. The Soviet Union was to have a free hand in Finland and the Baltic countries. A few months later, after German attack on Poland, the Soviet Union attacked Finland. The Winter War begun.

Despite of overwhelming superiority, Russians were unable to occupy Finland. The peace of 1940, however, was short lived. The Soviet pressure and Finnish desire of revenge made Finland to ally with Germany. When Hitler attacked to the Soviet Union in 1941, Finland launched war against the Soviet Union (the Continuation War 1941 - 44).

https://www.cc.jyu.fi/~jonmak/Finland.html

I can look for more if you wish.

[Saint Marcus]

besides Finland, why should Spain thank the US for WW2? Or Portugal? Or Swiss? Or Sweden? Or Ireland?

Not all of Europe was at war you know.

[Shi Huangdi]

It's absurd blaming the Nazi rise to power on the USA. First off, the harsh provisions of Versailles that angered Germany so much were forced there by the Europeans. Yet even still peace would have been possible under the Versailles framework had they been willing to enforece Versailles' provisions.

Argue as much what would have happened with no USA in WWII, but if the USA did not interevene, either the Nazis or the Soviets would have ended up occupying the continent of Europe. Britain would have not have been able to win by itself. Had the Nazis won, with the resources of Europe they would definitely have been able to defeat Britain. Had the Soviets won and taken Europe, they would have also been able to eventually get Britain and they would likely be able to spread communism worldwide. Either way Europe gets screwed over with no USA.

As far as WWI, USA troops were there during Germany's last charge as they repelled the German troops trying to take Paris. It's not clear who would have eventually won without USA in WWI, but it would be very likely it would mean even more lost European lives.

Another great contribution the USA has given to the world is that we served as a model of a democratic state. The USA showed that democracy was not merely the airy idea of enlightenment intellectuals, that it could be practically applied to a free state. The American revolution helped inspired the French revolution and would be an inspiration to democratic since in fighting aristocratic power.

[Jaakko]

Dino, Germany was the only country really willing to help Finland against the Soviets, for obvious reasons. It was either them or become a Soviet satellite along with the other small East European countries.
We never really toed the Nazi line, for instance never advancing far enough to cut supplies to Leningrad, or destroying the Murmansk railway, even though the supplies brought that way were used against us. In fact it was the US who wanted us to let the Lend-Lease through.
Then there was the '43-'44 affair, where we cheated the Germans out of crucial war materiel so we could affor to finally negotiate a separate peace with the Soviets.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Saint Marcus
besides Finland, why should Spain thank the US for WW2? Or Portugal? Or Swiss? Or Sweden? Or Ireland?

Not all of Europe was at war you know.

I think many Germans hate the US. If it weren't for them they would still dominate the continent with an iron fist.

[Saint Marcus]

Another great contribution the USA has given to the world is that we served as a model of a democratic state. The USA showed that democracy was not merely the airy idea of enlightenment intellectuals, that it could be practically applied to a free state. The American revolution helped inspired the French revolution and would be an inspiration to democratic since in fighting aristocratic power.

Greece had the first Democracy. And Holland made great strides towards a functional republic and free state a century or two before the USA.

Also, the oldest parliament in the world is seated in Iceland.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Saint Marcus
besides Finland, why should Spain thank the US for WW2?

Americans fought in the Spanish Civil War.

[Dauphin]

For or against Franco?

[Saint Marcus]

Nationals of dozens of nations fought in that war. And the Americans were present in only very limited numbers, and didn't win the war.