As the world marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, a new survey reveals a worrying belief among people in the United States and Western Europe.
Growing Fear of a New World War
Many now think that a third world war could happen within the next five to ten years. This idea is not held by a small group—it is shared by large numbers across countries like Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the US.
In the five European nations surveyed, between 41 and 55 percent of respondents indicated they believed that another world war was “very” or “fairly” likely to start soon. About 45% of respondents in the US said they agreed. The main reason people gave for this concern was increasing tension with Russia, which most respondents said is the most probable cause of a future war.
A large number of people also believe that if such a war does happen, it will be more dangerous and deadly than the wars before.A third world war would involve the use of nuclear weapons, according to 68% to 76% of respondents.
Even more startling is the fact that between 57% and 73% of respondents think the death toll would be higher than it was during World War II. In fact, some—between 25% and 44%—even believe that such a war could kill most people in the world.
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When asked if their own countries would be part of this war, the majority of people agreed.89% of respondents in the UK and 66% of respondents in Italy indicated they thought their nation will be involved.
But there was a lot less faith in their military’s ability to defend them. Just 16% of respondents in Italy and 44% in France believed their militaries could protect their nation.
In contrast, the US stood out. About 71% of Americans said they trusted their military to protect the country in case of war.
Trust Issues and Tensions
While Russia was seen as the most likely cause of a future war by 72% to 82% of Western Europeans and 69% of Americans, there were other fears too. One of them was Islamic terrorism. But interestingly, many people in Europe also felt that the US, despite being a close ally, could be a threat to peace. According to 58% of Spanish respondents, tensions with the US pose a moderate to serious threat to European peace. The percentage was 53% in France and 55% in Germany.
This shows that even though countries work together in groups like NATO, there are still deep concerns among the public about international relationships. People feel that conflicts could begin not just with enemies, but also with allies, if trust continues to break down.
Regarding the past, the majority of respondents in nations such as France (72%), Germany (70%), and the UK (66%) claimed to be well-informed about the Second World War. People in Spain, which did not take part in the war, knew less, with only 40% saying they had learned a lot.
The Second World War was taught in schools in a variety of ways. 77% of respondents in France claimed to have learned a lot about it. The percentage was 60% in Germany. It was 48% in the UK and only 34% in Spain. Younger respondents were more likely to say that their education about the war was good.
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On one aspect, though, practically everyone is in agreement. In the countries polled, 82% to 90% of respondents think it’s necessary to study about the Second World War. They added that the pre-war and wartime events still have relevance today. Between 72% and 87% supported this idea.
Lessons from History Still Matter
The survey also asked people if they believed that crimes like those committed by the Nazi regime in Germany during the 1930s and 40s could happen again. Many thought it was possible. According to 31% of Spanish respondents, it might occur in their nation at some point in their lives. In the US, that number was higher at 52%.
More respondents agreed when asked if comparable crimes might occur in another Western European nation. Of those surveyed, 44% to 59% replied “yes.” Between 44% and 60% of respondents agreed that such crimes could occur in the United States.
The majority of respondents in the five nations identified the United States as the country that had done the most to defeat the Nazis during World War II. This response was given by 40% to 52% of respondents. The Soviet Union was credited by 17% to 28%. In the UK, however, 41% of people said Britain had played the biggest role. Outside the UK, very few agreed, with only 5% to 11% saying the same.
Since World War II in 1945, nations have had varying views on how they have handled their wartime acts. Nearly half of Germans (46%) believed their nation had performed admirably in the post-World War II era. Similarly, 58% of respondents in the UK and 49% in the US agreed with this sentiment.
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However, in France, the number was lower at 34%, and in Italy, only 30% thought their nation had handled the aftermath of World War II well.
In Germany, 47% of people also believed their country had been too careful about its Nazi past, feeling this caution made Germany less able to take strong actions in the years following the World War. Just 24% of respondents believed that the nation had achieved the ideal balance in its approach to its wartime history.
Finally, the question of who had contributed most to maintaining peace since World War II was posed. Between 52% and 66% of respondents praised NATO for its role in ensuring peace. Additionally, 44% to 60% stated that the United Nations had aided a “great deal” or “fair amount,” with many agreeing the organization had performed well in the post-World War II period.
Support was also given to the European Union. Of those surveyed, between 45% and 56% believed the EU had been crucial in maintaining peace in Europe since the World War.