Historians on both sides of the Atlantic are plumbing the depths of Trump’s break with decades of US and European doctrine.
Trump’s recent public clash with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and his friendlier approach toward Russian President Vladimir Putin have raised concerns. Some experts compare it to Germany’s 1938 takeover of Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslovakia. Back then, European countries failed to stop Adolf Hitler, leading to World War II. Today, some fear a similar mistake could happen with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Historian John Connelly from the University of California, Berkeley, says that democracies in the 1930s failed to stand up to dictators. “They could have united against Hitler and prevented war,” he told AFP. Some now worry that ignoring Russia’s actions could have similar consequences.
Zelensky warns that if Putin is allowed to keep Ukrainian land, he may move on to other countries like Moldova or Romania. Meanwhile, Trump has made bold claims about taking Greenland, even though it belongs to Denmark, a NATO ally.
The Growing Fascism Debate
Some historians say Trump’s leadership style shows signs of fascism. French historian Johann Chapoutot points out that world leaders themselves often compare today’s events to the lead-up to World War II.
Former Trump officials, including John Kelly and General Mark Milley, have also accused Trump of having fascist tendencies. Political scientist Robert Paxton had once avoided calling Trump a fascist but changed his view after Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in January 2021. “It’s the real thing,” he told The New York Times.
A Shift in Global Politics
Since returning to office, Trump has ignored many international rules, started trade wars with allies, and made decisions without consulting Congress. Some historians see this as a return to the idea that “might makes right,” where strength is more important than laws.
French Holocaust expert Tal Bruttmann points out that one key feature of fascism is the use of brute force. “Trump is checking many of the same boxes as past authoritarian leaders,” he says.
However, there are also major differences between now and the 1930s. The world today is much richer, and institutions like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court exist to maintain order. Yet, historian John Connelly warns that these safeguards are weakening. “The United States has not learned the lessons of history,” he says.
As tensions rise, the question remains: Will today’s leaders repeat the mistakes of the past, or will they take action before it’s too late?
