Attitudes and reactions to returning soldiers
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Throughout history, and around the world, soldiers returning from wars and conflict abroad have met with different reactions from civilians. From being welcomed as heroes, to being shunned as perpetrators of attrocities, these experiences are part of the strong emotional, moral and political reactions to war.
Some examples are given below of different attitudes and reactions to soldiers' return home.
The First World War
United Kingdom
Demobilised soldiers coming home from the Great War were met with parades of cheering crowds. The process of reintegration of the soldiers was not without its discontents, but, overall, it was a remarkable success.
After being made Secretary of War in 1919, one of the first things that Winston Churchill did was to redesign the demobilisation system. The new rules used a formula based on age, length of service and the number of times a man had been wounded in battle and ensured that longest-serving soldiers were generally demobilised first. However, many solders, who had been promised a 'land fit for heroes' by the Lloyd George government instead found themselves out of work after massive unemployment and the postponement of the wartime programme of 'reconstruction' was put on hold during the 1921 depression.
A Representation of the People Act came into force in June 1918 - for the first time it enfranchised all men over the age of 21.
United States
The Bonus march of 1932, when World War I veterans rallied in Washington DC for more effective veterans benefits during the height of the Depression was broken up when the US army sent tanks and soldiers with bayonet-affixed rifles into the veteran camps to clear the veterans out and burn the camp down, killing some (including William Hushka), and injuring many more.The Second World War
Germany
Some would say that while Nazi Germany felt satisfactory that they fought with everything they had, despite the humiliation of bitter defeat, they were also relieved that the mass-genocide in their region had ceased.Italy
Japan
The mix of feudalism and nationalism that reigned during the war years in Japan, and the Bushido code of the Samurai warrior which emphasized offensive actions, bravery and enthusiasm for battle, and condemned weakness, led to the view that surrender showed weakness, and that death in combat was preferable to surrender.Surrender was seen as a disgrace to the entire family of a soldier and there are accounts of soldier's wives committing suicide over rumors that their husband dishonorably surrendered.
Russia (Soviet Union)
United Kingdom
United States
The American soldiers returning from WWII were seen as heroes by most that had won a war against all odds. The servicemen themselves mostly still had humbley claimed they only did what they thought had to be right way it was done and the true heroes are the ones who sacrificed their lives for their country. When asked if they could do things over in the war, would they do it differently, some responded no, while most responded yes.The Vietnam War
United States
Unlike many previous wars, Vietnam veterans did not come home en mass as a victorious group. They tended to be rotated in and out in small groups, and were often horrified to discover the depth of anti war feeling that was directed to them.Vietnam (North)
Vietnam (South)
Vietnam (Viet Cong Guerillas)
By the North they have been reveered as heroes who defended their homeland from imperialism. By the South they were often reviled for being traitors who denied their country peace and prosperity in a capitalist society because they sided with the North.Other nations
France
See also: Veteran
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