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Position:Home>History> Why were the Germans referred to as the Huns, especially during WWI?Question: Why were the Germans referred to as the Huns, especially during WWI!? If my history is correct, I thought he Huns were more from the east, almost Asia in historical context!. I do know the Huns settled in Germany, but they were a people from long ago!. My question is, why refer to the Germans as the Huns during WWI!? That'd be like calling the Italians the Romans during WWII!? Anyone good in history shed some light on this!? Maybe my history isn't so great!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Its based on a silly anecdote!. In 1901, there was a wave of anti-Western violence in China collectively called "The Boxer Rebellion"!. In Peking (Beijing), the western embassies were besieged by the Boxers and latter the imperial Chinese army for 99 days!. The main western powers (USA, Japan, UK, Germany, Italy, Russia, and France) put together an international military force to put down the rebellion and relieve Peking!. Kaiser Wilhelm II, in order his men to join the expedition, told his men to "fight like Huns" or "Act like Huns"; not quite sure on the exact wording!. The French, hating the Germans them more than they ever did at any time in their history, started calling the Germans the Bosch (French for Huns) as an insult!. When the War started, the Brits and Belgians started doing the same!. In addition to their bloodthirsty reputations, the Huns were considered by many to have brought down Western Civilization in Roman times!. This was designed to frame the Germans as another threat to Western Civilization from beyond the Rhine!. Actually, while the Huns weakened the Romans, it was the German tribes that really destroyed Western Civilization so there is an odd logic to it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com it is also important to know that german historians and archeologists embraced this history and made many claims that portrayed the huns as a much more civilized group!. Only since the end of world war 2 has main stream german science began to fairly re-look at their history!.Www@QuestionHome@Com They were called "Huns" because the media wanted to portray the Germans as evil/savages/etc the regular propaganda!. Being a "Hun" was being one who was barbaric/tribal type!.!. lol It has a negative connotation!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |