I first saw this video clip in a documentary on television in the early 1950's, and have seen it many times since. Only recently did I find it on YouTube.
In March 1939 Germany invaded and occupied Czechoslovakia in violation of agreements Hitler had made earlier in Munich. The following month Italy invaded Albania.
Mainly to raise concerns over Axis aggression in the United States and the rest of the world, President Roosevelt formally requested that both Hitler and Mussolini give assurances as to their peaceful intentions towards some thirty nations he named; and he indicated that if such assurances were received he would ask for similar pledges from each of the other countries he had named. I'm sure he did not expect a reply.
Mussolini did not respond, but Hitler did. In a speech before the Reichstag he made fun of Roosevelt and his request. Yet, he did eventually attack more than half of the nations on Roosevelt's list..
Yes and look at who is more genuinely loved and revered by history!
ReplyDelete(vote now please!) Ha ha!
Hey, Micky - please let me know your new Email address!
ReplyDeleteRe.your comment: I'm afraid that the reaction of most under 60 in a preference poll would be: "Who are dose guys?" It is shocking how quickly notables pass from the public conscious - even evil notables.
Good to see you are still around Micky. I sure miss It's getting better. Steve
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