>>/28367/
> It’s common to think of early 20th century Germany as an affluent country
Who thinks that has no clue about German history and should not read such a propagandist book.
Why do you think people voted for Hitler if "Weimar" was so great as western propaganda try to sell us?
> with a strong economy that carried it through two world wars.
Of course it had, or why do you think Britain and France waged war against her.
> In reality, it had mediocre standards of living
It was poverty and famine.
> a weak economy
As a result of blockade, boycotts and straight plunder by the allies. Countries like Persia trying to trade with Germany were invaded and their leadership disposed. US policy in South-America wasn't different, any German gains in trade were aggressive countered by underhand and open threats.
Hey Germany wasn't even admitted to the International Red Cross association after WWI.
Hitler's economic policies were super successful and raised the living standards of common Germans greatly. Unemployment disappeared and foreign worker came to seek for employment in Germany.
MUH Military spending
Germany had no military and was constantly invaded by its neighbor since the "end" of the world war. Of course it was necessary to increase military spending for self defence when there was none before.