Germany does not seek survival

Chapter 11: Twenty-five Points

What Little Mustache extracted from Wagner's operas and Schopenhauer's philosophical thoughts is a particularly extreme "petty-bourgeois socialism" thought.

The core of this ideology, in addition to playing with the theory of national bloodline, advocating strongman rule, and demanding the expansion of national living space, also contains a large part of very important content.

That is petty-bourgeois socialism.

Petty-bourgeois socialism, on the one hand, demands fairness and security, and fears failing in capitalist competition and becoming proletarians; on the other hand, it demands opportunities and hopes to excel in capitalist competition. Therefore, they strongly oppose naked capitalist competition, but at the same time they fear that revolution will endanger private ownership and the free market.

Under this kind of thinking, the "petty-bourgeois socialism" that the mustache man believed in was born.

This is National Socialism.

In the room of Saint-Abel's Hospital, Faust sat beside the bed of the mustache man. After sending away the nurse Beatrice, Faust spoke his mind:

"I intend to establish such a National Socialist Party. Our program is the program of National Socialism. Its basic content is to use the German nation's concept of public welfare and the ancient German tradition of communal ownership as the basis, and to fight for the rights of the masses through revolutionary means."

"revolution!?"

The man with a mustache exclaimed in surprise, then he immediately realized that he had said the forbidden word, so he quickly covered his mouth again.

Faust took a wooden coffee spoon, stirred the inferior coffee that had artificial coffee essence, and said:

"Revolution, yes, revolution, and armed revolution. Only in this way can we eliminate Germany's rotten feudal aristocracy and establish a true People's Germany. Only the People's Germany can win the war."

The man with a mustache stared, his beard trembled, and then his whole body began to shake violently.

The mustache-wearing man's eyes held a touch of fear, excitement, and ambition. "Mr. Faust, revolution... armed revolution! Mr. Faust, that's a deadly word. If it falls into the ears of the military police, even if you're a war hero, there's no telling what your fate will be."

Faust said nonchalantly, "For Germany, Adolf, for the German people, can we, you and I, really sit idly by and watch the incompetent nobles continue to control this sacred country? To be honest, I'm not afraid at all. You can report what I said to anyone at any time. But, Adolf, I believe you won't miss the opportunity to change Germany. At least in the revolution to overthrow the rule of the feudal aristocracy, I absolutely believe in you, Adolf. We will definitely become comrades on this road."

Faust stared into the eyes of the mustache man, and he also saw the undisguised ambition in his eyes: "Adolf, are you willing to be my comrade-in-arms?"

The man with the mustache began to breathe rapidly. He felt his heart beating wildly, even more violently than when he first met Faust.

The man with the mustache clenched his coffee cup and trembled as he said, "Sir, tell me about your National Socialism. What kind of party is the National Socialist Party? Mr. Faust, I'm very curious about your revolutionary ideas."

A smile appeared on Faust's lips. He knew very well the ambition of the little mustache, so he was sure to attract the little mustache. It seemed that Adolf had taken the bait.

"Our conversation cannot be recorded in writing for now."

Faust dipped his finger in some water and wrote on the table: "My Twenty-Five Points! The fundamental proposition of the National Socialist Party at this stage is to unite the workers, peasants, and petty bourgeoisie, to carry out social revolution at home to eliminate traitors, and to export revolution abroad to fight for national sovereignty. I can summarize it in a slogan: the slogan of the National Socialist Party is to punish traitors at home and fight for national sovereignty abroad!"

Many of the contents of the 25-point program that Faust proposed to the little mustache were originally the early programs of the National Socialist Party in history.

The early National Socialist Party did have a strong socialist color. At that time, there were left-wing revolutionaries like the Strasser brothers within the National Socialist Party. Their ideas were somewhat similar to those of Kita Ikki of Japan, and they both wavered between nationalism and socialism.

After the National Socialist Party developed, the little mustache relied on his incredible charm to come from behind and take the lead. Then, in one struggle after another over the line, he defeated the Strasser brothers, conquered "Little Yellow" Dr. Goebbels, and killed the SA captain Röhm in the Night of the Long Knives, thus completely transforming the National Socialist Party into the Nazi Party.

"The Twenty-Five Points of the National Socialist Party—

"First, we demand the unification of the Germans into a single German state, based on the right of national self-determination;"

"Secondly, we demand that the German nation should enjoy equal rights with other nations and that all nations be treated equally;"

"Thirdly, we demand land reform so that German land can support the German people;"

"Article 4: Only political parties that recognize socialism may operate legally. Parties that support backward ideologies such as slavery and feudalism must be thoroughly educated and reformed before they are allowed to operate openly."

“Article 5. Political parties that have not yet obtained legal status shall be governed by a special law during their period of education and reform;”

"Article 6. Only the citizens of this country have the right to determine the leadership and laws of the German state. Therefore, we demand that all public offices, regardless of their type, be open to German citizens on an equal footing, and that all corrupt and unfair official selection systems, which favor personal appointments over those of character and ability, be abolished."

"Article 7: We demand that the state should make providing citizens with work and a living its primary task;"

"Article 8. The formation of new political parties which do not recognize socialism as the fundamental basis of the German state is prohibited;"

"Article 9. All German citizens shall have equal rights and duties;"

Article 10. The first duty of every German citizen is to engage in physical or mental labor. The activities of the individual must not be detrimental to the interests of the whole, but must be controlled by the whole and beneficial to all.

The "Twenty-Five Points Program" mentioned by Faust is a slight modification of the historical Twenty-Five Points Program of the National Socialist Party. Therefore, except for some reservations about some details, the little mustache man certainly unconditionally agrees with the overall spirit of these propositions.

Every time Faust spoke out a program, the man with the mustache looked more excited. Later, every time Faust finished speaking a program, the man with the mustache would applaud to show his approval.

“We therefore demand, in the eleventh platform, the abolition of unearned income and the abolition of interest slavery;”

"Article 12. In view of the enormous sacrifice of life and property that every war brings to the people, war profits must be regarded as a crime against the people. Therefore, we demand the introduction of a special law against war profits;"

"Article 13. We demand the nationalization of all trusts;"

"Article 14. We demand the distribution of the profits of large enterprises;"

“Article 15, we demand a large-scale restructuring of elderly care facilities;”

"Article 16: We demand the immediate nationalization of large department stores and the implementation of a more sound and people-friendly commerce;"

"Article 17. We demand a law for the free acquisition of land for the public good, the abolition of ground rent, and the suppression of all speculation in land;"

"Article 18: We demand that those who endanger the public interest be severely suppressed; dangerous usurers, speculators, etc., regardless of their beliefs and race, must be severely punished;"

"Article 19: We demand a thorough revision of the content of the textbooks that serve the feudal aristocracy;"

"Article 20. In order to ensure that all capable and hardworking citizens have access to higher education and the opportunity to take on leadership positions, we demand a reform of the existing education system. The curriculum of all educational institutions must be adapted to the needs of real life. We demand that children from poor families who are particularly outstanding, regardless of their parents' occupations and social connections, should enjoy free state education.

Article 21: The state must protect mothers and children, prohibit child labor, enact laws to encourage sports and physical training, and vigorously support all groups that improve the physical strength of young people in order to improve the physical health of the nation.

"Article 22: We demand the abolition of mercenaries and the establishment of a genuine national army;"

“Article 23: We demand the enactment of laws to prevent the news media from being monopolized and completely controlled by individuals or capital;”

"Article 24: We demand that freedom of religion and belief be recognized to the extent that it does not endanger the survival of the nation and does not violate the law;"

"Article 25: We demand the establishment of a strong, centralized government in order to achieve everything our party stands for."

……

The above "Twenty-Five Points" almost completely hit the mark with the young man with the mustache. The more he listened, the more he felt that his own spiritual thoughts were completely aligned with Faust's. After Faust finished speaking the entire "Twenty-Five Points", the young man with the mustache practically jumped up from his bed and hugged Faust tightly:

"National Socialism! Sir, I pledge to fight for the realization of these aims, even at the cost of my own life if necessary!"

Chapter 12 Special Road

The battle slogan proposed by Faust for the National Socialist Party, "Punish traitors at home and fight for national sovereignty abroad", means a double revolution. The first revolution is the national liberation revolution, and the second revolution is the social revolution.

The Second Revolution is indispensable.

The little mustache has gladly accepted Faust's "Twenty-Five Point Program". The little mustache is now looking at Faust with eyes full of admiration. Faust almost feels that if he says anything, even if it is asking the little mustache to pick the moon or commit suicide, the little mustache will most likely carry it out faithfully.

Faust shook hands with the mustache and promised him from his sickbed at St. Abel's Hospital: "From now on, I will be the number one member of the National Socialist Party, and you, my dear brother Adolf, will be the number two member of the National Socialist Party."

In the later stages of the war, Little Mustache was already very disappointed with the German Empire. Now, although the socialist concepts proposed by Faust were still vague, they still opened a window of new life for Little Mustache. Faust became a ray of light that saved Little Mustache.

The mustache man was convinced. He clapped his hands on his chest and stretched them forward in a Roman salute: "Sir, you are my leader!"

In fact, this kind of Roman salute with straight arms did not exist in ancient Rome. It was not until the 18th century that the French painter Jacques-Louis David painted this salute gesture in his famous painting "The Oath of the Horatii", which became an instant hit. The French people in the Enlightenment liked this gesture very much and used it to replace various Christian gestures.

The essence of the Roman rite is actually a complete fantasy fabrication of the French painter Jacques-Louis David.

But during the French Revolution, many revolutionaries also liked to use this seemingly powerful gesture to express their oath. As a result of rumors, Europeans really believed that this was a historical heritage of ancient Rome.

The mustache man is very fond of Roman history and naturally likes to perform Roman etiquette.

Faust comforted the mustache man: "You should recuperate well in St. Abel's Hospital. When we return to the front, we will begin the activities of the National Socialist Party. We must expand its influence and secretly win over more members. Then, we will push the situation forward and lie dormant. The princes and nobles cannot win this war. Only the people can save Germany."

Germans, be patient!

German people, rise up!

Faust, with his mustache, took the lead and became the founder of the National Socialist Party. However, he did not want to become a Nazi. What Faust wanted to do was to realize a real socialist revolution under the name of the National Socialist Party.

If possible, Faust also thought about seeking cooperation with Liebknecht and Luxemburg, the founders of the German Communist Party, but these two are still in prison. Not to mention that Faust has no chance to meet them, even if he did, it would be of no use.

Before the outbreak of World War I, the German Social Democratic Party had already developed into a super party with millions of members. They were too influential in the German Parliament, so they naturally tended to reformism. The right-wing conservatives within the Social Democratic Party were too powerful and seriously suppressed the left-wing revolutionaries of Liebknecht and Luxemburg.

Therefore, in the original history, Liebknecht and Luxemburg did not announce their separation from the German Social Democratic Party until the end of the war, turning the Spartacist faction within the German Social Democratic Party into the German Communist Party.

It is conceivable that the German Communist Party was born too late and was too weak. When it was first established in 1918, it had only more than 100 members and it was impossible to organize a successful armed uprising.

After Germany's defeat, the situation was unpredictable. It was reasonable for the weak German Communist Party to eventually fail. It should be said that the fact that the German Communist Party, which was born so late and had such few members, was able to make such a big fuss was an extraordinary performance of the two leaders, Liebknecht and Luxemburg.

History should not blame Liebknecht and Luxemburg for their failures.

The Germans are very proud. Before the outbreak of World War I, the entire nation was filled with fanatical warlike spirit. Not only the ruling class, but also the common people felt that Germany was the strongest and that Germany would definitely defeat the Allies. After Germany defeated the Allies, the ruling class would eat the meat, and the common people would definitely be able to get some soup.

The voices in support of the war were particularly strong, so the mainstream within the SPD overwhelmingly supported the war. Anti-war factions like Luxemburg had a very poor mass base. Many working-class people who had been helped by Liebknecht and Luxemburg in the past also denounced Luxemburg as a "traitor to Germany."

By obstructing the outbreak of war, Luxemburg was obstructing Germany from winning the world and obstructing the masses from enjoying the benefits of the ruling class.

In this way, the left-wing anti-war faction within the SPD naturally did not receive support. Liebknecht and Luxemburg were imprisoned, and the people applauded. Many left-wing anti-war factions therefore turned to the right to support the war. A very small number of people could only choose to lie dormant. It was not until the later stages of the war when the Germans generally began to be tired of war that the left-wing anti-war faction regained a certain mass base.

Faust thought, in fact, Luxemburg was not wrong!

It was indeed a mistake to go to war. The German people fought for the crown of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and for the throne of William II. As a result, families were separated, millions of German people were killed and injured, a turnip winter was created, and people suffered from hunger and cold. Finally, they finally fought for the Treaty of Versailles.

Germany could not defeat the Allies in the first place. In retrospect, Luxemburg's opposition to the war was correct even from the most nationalist perspective, because Rosa Luxemburg was opposing a war that Germany could not win.

Before the outbreak of World War I, the entire German population was actually filled with extremely strong anxiety.

The Germans believe that they are on a "special path". This special path will not lead to decadent democracies like Britain and France, nor to backward absolute autocracy like Russia. Instead, it will maintain a certain degree of authoritarian politics and controlled economy, and provide the people with widely covered public welfare.

In short, before the war, the Germans generally had this idea that they would neither follow the evil path of parliamentary democracy like Britain and France, nor the old path of absolute autocracy like Russia, but would only follow Germany's unique path.

Unfortunately, if the Germans really had enough confidence in their path, Germany would not have started the war. The fact that the entire German people anxiously supported the war itself shows that Germany had no confidence in its path, but rather had no confidence in itself and overestimated its enemy.

The most fundamental reason why Germany chose to go to war in 1914 was that the Germans were afraid of Russia's rapid economic development after the Stolypin reforms. The entire German people were worried that more than ten years later, Russia's economy might surpass Germany.

Germans, you have to be confident!

In Faust's view, Germany's hasty declaration of war was simply a lack of confidence in itself, which led to its extreme anxiety and lack of strategic determination. Russia's economic growth rate in recent years has indeed been faster than Germany's, but given the Tsarist system, it is impossible for Russia to maintain unlimited high-speed economic growth for a long time, and it will sooner or later hit the ceiling.

Germany could have waited until Tsarist Russia's economic growth reached its peak before considering going to war. Perhaps if it had waited a few more years, Tsarist Russia would have collapsed on its own.

The Germans' loud singing of the special road really seems to be a case of trying to cover up one's own faults. It is because they lack confidence in their own road that they have to shout so loudly. In this regard, Faust believes that the problem with Germany lies in its low level of education.

Germany's theory of victory only argues how powerful Germany is and how Germany is superior to Britain, France and Russia. The result of this argument is that Germany will become more and more inclined to go to war. Since it is superior to the enemy now and is afraid that the enemy will surpass it in the future, it is definitely better to go to war as soon as possible.

Building ships and expanding the military without debate will result in the fact that the more you engage in argumentation about winning, the more guilty you will feel, and the more anxious and insecure you will become.

The real theory of winning should prove that Germany had already won, and there was no need to build ships or expand the military, because Germany had already won without any effort, Britain, France and Russia had all destroyed themselves, and Germany did not need to do anything, as it was already the time to settle the victory.

If Germany really pursues this kind of strategy of winning without doing anything, then no matter how bad its outcome is, it will not be as bad as the Treaty of Versailles.

Faust shook his head. Germany still lacked historical experience and did not know what strategic determination was.

Having said that, there was another very important reason why Germany rushed to go to war in 1914.

Before the war, Germany's ammonium nitrate was completely dependent on natural guano minerals imported from South America and the Pacific. This is a non-renewable resource. Once sea transportation was cut off during the war, fertilizer production could not be achieved, and a food crisis would occur.

Germany's ammonium nitrate stockpile can only sustain a full-scale war for less than half a year. Once it is exhausted, even the most basic production of explosives will not be maintained.

In 1913, German scientist Haber invented the process of artificially synthesizing ammonia, which enabled Germany to extract ammonia from the air, freeing mankind from the passive situation of relying on natural nitrogen fertilizers and greatly changing the dependence of agriculture on the weather.

It was Haber's invention of artificial ammonia that gave William II the confidence to declare war. If the defeat of the German Empire was due to the hasty declaration of war, then the reason why the German Emperor declared war in such a hurry was that Haber gave him too much confidence.

Fritz Haber, one of the greatest German chemists, was Jewish.

Alas, it was the Jews who caused Germany's defeat in the war.

Chapter 13: Thirty Years' War

The town of Saint-Abel is located on the banks of the Scheldt River. More than 1,400 years ago, the Western Roman Empire fell, and the nomadic Germanic people invaded this place and multiplied and thrived. The Merovingian dynasty rose here, founded the Frankish Empire, and became the ancestor of the modern French and modern German states.

A full thousand years later, Charles V, the most powerful emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, led his army to capture the town of Saint-Aibert. That was the last chance for the Germans to reunite France and Germany.

Thousands of years later, the history of ancient Rome and Frank has turned into drifting ice in the Scheldt River. The north wind is bleak, and the unification of Europe is still a distant dream.

Faust temporarily left the mustache man's ward, and Nurse Beatrice brought a bag of apples. During the war, fresh fruits were the most scarce supplies and were difficult to get, whether on the front line or in the rear.

The apples that Faust brought were spoils of war captured from the French warehouse.

But because of this bag of apples, the medical staff of St. Albert Hospital now look at Faust with very different eyes.

In Germany in the winter of 1916, it was indeed unusual to visit wounded soldiers with a bag of fresh apples.

Rommel also had to settle the other wounded soldiers of the 7th Company in the town of St. Albert. He was a very responsible company commander and would only go to the rear with Faust to award medals after he had personally settled every wounded soldier.

Faust had an extra day and a half of vacation. With no important tasks to do and nothing to do, Faust passed the time by chatting with Nurse Beatrice.

The back door of St. Abel's Hospital was surrounded by barbed wire, but some nurses knew there was a gap in the middle of the barbed wire. From there, they could walk through a small wood and reach the scenic banks of the Scheldt River.

The cold wind howled in the deep winter. Even though the warm Atlantic current nourished the land of France, a lot of broken ice froze in the Scheldt River during this season.