In the mostly western part of the United States during World War two. This invasion was made up mostly of German POWs fresh from their surrender. These Germans had been captured by American forces from the fields of europe to the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. But where did the US put all of these men, and what did they do with them?
The answer is that they were put into POW camps all over the continental United States. But what went on in these prisoner of war camps do you ask? Most prisoners were sent out to take care of jobs that were forcibly abandoned when men went off to war. but here is where the unique and dissassociated culture of the United States takes over. Although these men were forced into manual labor for the good of their enemies, these former soldiers apparently treated far better then their compatriots in other countries. These men were also far better treated then Allied prisoners of war, who could only tell horror stories and tales of daring attempts at escape.
My question is, what made the American public, government, and even our military agree that unlike our enemies, we should treat our prisoners with respect and dignity? Was it the American need to keep our word, was it a need to sway as many people as possible to our side, or was it just our need to treat others with respect? What is it that made us treat our prisoners so well?
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