America and American Occupation in German Eyes

day, as reflected in and reinforced by its mass media, is ambivalent, insecure, full of misunderstandings and misgivings, and often contradictory. While this opinion is based on the varying and petrified impressions of the past century, a series of new observations and emotions was added by the close, often personal contacts of the past eight years, when Germans met Americans in their quickly changing roles of enemies, victors, rulers, educators,' secret allies, and finally open allies-and, in addition, as individuals in and out of uniform. These age-old stereotypes and new impressions often received new emphasis from the acute situation confronting the Germans in the past five years: Should Germany join America in defense against the Soviet threat so close to her borders, or should she "go it alone" and remain neutral between the big powers? Dependent on this choice and the decision finally taken, the image of America as it developed was often merely a rationalization of the role desired for Germany in the future. Many Germans who tended to be neutral (for quite different reasons) often justified their attitude by developing an image of America as displeasing, if not as dangerous, as that of Soviet Russia. On the other hand, many Germans serious in their will to resist the Soviet threat and knowing that without