Today´s disturbing echoes of the buildup to the second world war | Letters
(The Guardian Germany)

Bernie Evans and Michael Meadowcroft respond to Martin Kettle´s article on the alarming similarities of Weimar Germany and Brexit BritainAs Martin Kettle says (Brexit Britain and Weimar Germany are perilously alike, 16 May), there exist in the UK at the moment far too many similarities with Weimar Germany for comfort. It is easy to see parallels in the falling out of love with parliament, the lack of cooperation between parties and the far right´s repeated message of national betrayal, and to link them with a possible surge in support for a rightwing autocracy.It is worth mentioning, however, that Adolf Hitler´s rise initially was through democratic votes in general elections, with the Nazis becoming the biggest party in the Reichstag after the July 1932 election. It was after the November election of that year when they actually lost ground, when it was decided to offer Hitler the chancellorship, leading to the Enabling Act and the destruction of opposition parties. Continue reading...