Recruiting for the armed forces in Germany is tricky. Many Germans have strong feelings against war. The painful memories from World War II, the atrocities committed during that time, and the complicated history of a divided Germany have created lasting scars.
Historian Katja Hoyer explains that it’s surprising Germany isn’t leading Europe’s call to prepare for defense. She attributes this to a deep-rooted aversion to military actions in the country’s history.
Last October, a massive peace rally took over Berlin. Many gathered to hear anti-war speeches, cheering in agreement. Among the crowd was 60-year-old Petra. She passionately stated, “I stand for peace. War is never a solution… we have to sit down and talk together.”
The crowd shared similar sentiments, worried about Germany’s military strength and its role in supplying weapons to Ukraine. Katharina expressed her fears: “I think there is a real danger that everyone will be in a big war, maybe even a third world war. It’s very dangerous, and we have to say no.”
Another protester, Will, couldn’t shake his concerns about Germany’s historical involvement in wars. He reflected, “I think Germany has a very poor history in regards to leading wars. I feel we are drifting in this direction.” With rising military support for Ukraine, he worried Germany might repeat its dark past.
Yet, at the same event, a small counter-protest showed differing views. Some individuals across the street used megaphones to voice their support for arming Ukraine. A survey from Ipsos earlier this year indicated that 48% of Germans oppose more arms delivery to Ukraine, while 38% support it. Additionally, half of Germans back the defense minister’s promise to increase defense spending to around 3% to 3.5% of GDP.
Frederika, a counter-protester, shared her journey from pacifism to supporting military action. “I am still part of a peace movement,” she said. “But in the face of a dictatorship, you can’t be defenseless.” Her perspective reflects a growing complexity in how people view peace and security in an uncertain world.
