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Summary: The Unspeakable un Dirty, Diseased Degenerate Germany
On 4 August 1917, a scathing review of Henry de Halsalle’s book "Degenerate Germany" was published, characterized by its intense denunciation of German society and morality during World War I. De Halsalle aims to shatter the perception that Germans are generally benevolent people misled by authoritarian leaders, instead asserting that their national character is deeply flawed and corrupted. The book claims that the prevailing conditions in Germany are a reflection of its societal vices, particularly as they relate to sexual morality. De Halsalle cites various sources to bolster his argument, suggesting that the state of affairs in Germany is far worse than in other civilized nations. He discusses historical events that led to moral decay, particularly pointing to the aftermath of the Thirty Years' War, during which millions died, and extreme survival measures, including cannibalism, were reported. In addition to historical context, the review highlights how the German elite, exemplified by kings like Frederick William I of Prussia, indulged in bizarre and troubling practices, such as the forcible abduction of women to procreate a regiment of large soldiers. De Halsalle also criticizes contemporary German society, especially the conditions in Saxony, and portrays the German aristocracy as indulging in questionable traditions involving wedding rituals. One of the more alarming assertions in the book is regarding the prevalence of prostitution and sexual perversion in Germany. De Halsalle states that the number of child prostitutes has proliferated and that sexual diseases are rampant. A German publication is quoted to affirm that a significant proportion of the male population had been afflicted with sexual diseases, underscoring a perceived moral decline. Disturbing statistics about juvenile criminality and sexual offenses are presented, reflecting a societal breakdown. The book portrays German men and women as complicit in this moral degradation, suggesting that such a character reflects on their society as a whole. De Halsalle's viewpoint appears to resonate deeply within the context of the war, indicating a broader animosity towards Germans fueled by the atrocities they committed during the conflict. This review serves as a stark reminder of the intense emotions and perceptions surrounding World War I, further amplifying the divides between nations embroiled in the conflict.
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