⚠️ Historical Documentation Notice
Historical Documentation Notice

This document is part of a historical archive and is presented for scholarly research and educational purposes.

The content reflects historical perspectives and should be understood within its historical context.

28%
believe Hitler would have been
considered a great statesman
had he not involved Germany in
World War IINew
Poll: Germans Tired of Holocaust
Guilt

Germany’s leading news magazine, Der
Spiegel, reports a new poll that find most
Germans are tired of guilt associated with
World War II.

More than 60% of Germans agreed that people should “not always poke around in old wounds” relating to World War II.

In answer to another question, 45% said they did not want to hear any more about the Third Reich.

Even more Germans, 53%, would not agree that there was “no excuse” for the
Holocaust. A majority of Germans also believe they should be forgiven for past war crimes.

Almost half of all Germans, some 46%, believe that Nazism had its good side and almost a third of Germans, 28%, believe
Hitler would have been considered a great statesman had he not involved
Germany in World War II or the
Holocaust.

Source Information
Original Publication: 2001-05-28
Digital Archive: Focal Point Publications
Accessed: June 3, 2026