My interpretation of the ending in the film (and the book) was that, the U.S. Administration were fully (or mostly) aware of the fate of the Jews in Europe by 1964. Moreover, it was inferred in the book (and I believe in real life) that, Joe Kennedy was a Nazi sympathiser so, would have been prepared to turn a 'blind-eye' to the Holocaust.
However, it was Charlie's (and March's) 'revelations' that were going to be reported openly in U.S. press publications that was going to pressure the U.S. into not forming diplomatic relations with the Nazi Germany of 1964.
Thus, in time with the latters restricted isolation and, together with the ongoing and unwinnable 'guerrilla' war against the Russians in the East, the Nazi empire would have probably imploded from within. However, I personally feel the time scale would have been more protracted than left-wing idealists would predict, due primarily to the self-discipline of the Germanic race and their technological influence (Rockets and Aerospace; Nuclear; Electrical and Engineering), that existed at that time.
Another theoretial scenario - what if the Nazi Germany of 1964 had themselves successfully developed the Neutron Bomb? - they could have used this with impunity on Russia to assist in finishing their war in the east....
Of course, this is all idle speculation and debate.
reply
share
drwho-6
16 years ago
I agree with Christopher. Kennedy was aware of the situation, and in the book they have memorandums stating as much.
I believe that they mention in the book that they dare not use nukes on the Soviets because they were afraid the rest of the world would retaliate. Much the same as the USSR in the real history.
www.billszone.com
reply
share
Locomotiva1
15 years ago
The book offered a two-fold idea.
One: the voices about holocaust were known even during real wartime - and would grew louder in this ucronian scenario.
But those are voices: propaganda. A Jew complot theory.
Would the good and brave germans did that? C'mon, do you belive that they killed millions of people? It's impossible.
Could Unites States not trying for peace just for some fantastic tales?
When the official paper get out, the thing got a different way.
No US politician would trade with "those assassins", after the release of the papers.
Two: the nazi empire was collapsing inside. they are too rich, too comfortable. Youngs are bored with discipline, young womans didn't want to be Kinder, Kirche und Kuche (babies, church and kitchen) as party imposed.
There is a sort of "beatnik revolution" in sight.
The war in the "ost" was expensive, the occupation of the "living space" didn't work, so the economy wasn't that good. So the Nazi need to trade with the US and stop the war.
No trade, no money, no work = unrest.
Mix the two: Ka-boom.
reply
share
froberts73
14 years ago
Locomotival's (shorten that and make it 'loco') command of the English language -his spelling, grammar, etc. are as brilliant as his sickeningly stupid and incorrect political views. Yeah, there are still some idiots who, in spite of vivid proof to the contrary still deny the Holocaust. Tell this cretin (he will have to look that word up) that we live in the United States, not the Unites States. He should sit in a corner with his dunce cap, and say 'spell check' over and over.
reply
share
proteus122
14 years ago
Don't be such a putz. He's offering the books ideas, not his own AND I get the feeling that English isn't his first language. How many languages do you know?
reply
share