Reagan's Bitburg Speech: Cold War Complexity

This chapter examines the historical implications of Reagan's Bitburg speech, highlighting the mixed domestic and international reactions it prompted amid Cold War tensions. It explores NATO's nuclear strategy, the role of Helmut Kohl, and the political landscape in post-war Germany, while critiquing simplistic narratives about the German population's historical behavior. Additionally, the chapter addresses broader themes of eugenics, anti-Semitism, and historical revisionism, advocating for a nuanced understanding of racial and political dynamics.