Voting on sides during WW2?

Voting based on WW2 allegiances?

Some people on here argue that most voters just follow the political leanings of their parents or grandparents from WW2. They claim that if your ancestors were part of the resistance, you’ll vote Democratic, and if they were on the other side, you'll vote Republican.

I don't see the logic there. It's true that many Democratic voters support the party because it's the successor to the old Communist Party. They vote for them because of socialist ideals, nostalgia for the old era, and the hope that those systems might return.
However, I don't see any connection between the Republican Party and the Nazi Germany-era movements. Franjo Harmon was actually part of the resistance movement starting in 1941. Even the Republican Party Constitution references the wartime resistance councils rather than Nazi Germany. Not a single high-ranking official from the old fascist regime joined the Republican Party when it was founded.
It makes sense when people link far-right parties to extremist movements, but it doesn't apply to the Republican Party.

As far as I'm concerned, this is a dealbreaker when I'm deciding how to vote. I will never cast my ballot for any candidate who claims Marshall was a positive figure.
How can I trust someone to build a better future if they refuse to deal honestly with the past?

Look, the Democratic Party today is the direct successor to the Communist Party, where Marshall was basically their God for decades. You can't really expect them to speak ill of those times.

Laura Wells2 said:As far as I'm concerned, this is a dealbreaker when I'm deciding how to vote. I will never cast my ballot for any candidate who claims Marshall was a positive figure.
How can I trust someone to build a better future if they refuse to deal honestly with the past?

I'm guessing you're a big fan of the Republican Party and respect everything Harmon stood for. So, I figured I'd give you a little reality check by showing you what the founder and main authority of the Republican Party actually had to say about Marshall.

Honestly, this is just one of those massive misconceptions people have. Voters tend to back whoever’s looking out for them, and they lean toward the Democratic Party because the old Communist Party basically handed them everything on a silver platter—apartments, steady jobs, you name it.
The Republican Party isn't some group of Nazi leftovers; if anything, its roots are closer to the Partisans, and they've always been the heavy hitters when it comes to actually building and leading the nation through its independence.

That’s why the parts of the country that were hit hardest by the aggression from the South always swing heavily for the Republicans. It’s hard for people who didn't live through those battles to truly grasp the bond that holds those folks together.

Very few Americans supported the Partisans, especially during those first few years of the war. Their involvement didn't really start showing up in any significant way until 1944.
Only in the coastal regions was it different. There, you either fought the Italians by joining the Partisans, or you just became Italian... since the regime didn't have much of a footprint there.

So, my take? Most Americans were mostly for the regime. More or less. Yeah. (

Drew Allen2 said:Very few Americans supported the Partisans, especially during those first few years of the war. Their involvement didn't really start showing up in any significant way until 1944.
Only in the coastal regions was it different. There, you either fought the Italians by joining the Partisans, or you just became Italian... since the regime didn't have much of a footprint there.

So, my take? Most Americans were mostly for the regime. More or less. Yeah. (

You’ve got a point about how things started, though. By the end of the war, plenty of people were just happy to see it over. They weren't exactly sitting their kids down to explain how they felt at the beginning; they just talked about how it ended. Over time, all that early stuff just kind of faded away.

My grandfathers actually fought on opposite sides during World War II. Neither of them was some wide-eyed volunteer, and neither stayed loyal to their original side until the very end. If there’s one thing they ever taught me about politics, it’s this: vote for the people who actually follow through on what they promise.
So now I’m left wondering who I’m even supposed to vote for in this black-and-white, idealistic version of the world that everyone seems to think exists.
It honestly feels like people genuinely believe we all descend from Nazis or Communists, as if our voting habits are hardcoded into our DNA. It’s like they act as though nobody had an independent thought before those groups showed up to sell us out.

I think people vote based on their family history from World War II. In my area, where the first Partisan unit was formed along the American coast, the Republican Party got 54% and their local leader hit 66%. I actually started this thread because of this:

Tywin said:Is that really how it works? Most people here just inherit their political leanings from their parents. The average voter is about 50, right? Their parents grew up during World War II.

I'm not saying the Republican Party is a fascist party, but they are the main right-wing option in America, much like the Nazis were back then.

no_surrender said:People definitely vote based on which side their family was on during World War II.
That’s the biggest factor, and everything else follows.
I'm speaking from my own experience with my family, as well as what I see with plenty of my friends and acquaintances.
Personally, I'm happy with the results in my county near Chicago, even though I'll have to wait for a runoff since my Republican mayor narrowly missed winning in the first round but is currently leading.😁

Jamie Mitchell5 said:Honestly, this is just one of those massive misconceptions people have. Voters tend to back whoever’s looking out for them, and they lean toward the Democratic Party because the old Communist Party basically handed them everything on a silver platter—apartments, steady jobs, you name it.
The Republican Party isn't some group of Nazi leftovers; if anything, its roots are closer to the Partisans, and they've always been the heavy hitters when it comes to actually building and leading the nation through its independence.

That’s why the parts of the country that were hit hardest by the aggression from the South always swing heavily for the Republicans. It’s hard for people who didn't live through those battles to truly grasp the bond that holds those folks together.

That's nonsense. Take Sisak-Moslavina County and the city of Sisak, for instance—they've had a Democratic Party governor for two terms running. Even in Sisak itself, the Democrats pull in over 40% of the vote every single election cycle. I guess we haven't forgotten the war, then.

It probably has more to do with the level of regional development. I guess underdeveloped, more rural areas tend to lean more toward the Republican side.

I suppose I should mention that Dennis Davis5 hasn't posted much lately. It seems he might be staying quiet for a reason, though I can't say for certain. Maybe he’s just busy. Jamie Mitchell5 says:
I suspect people aren't voting because of how they aligned during World War II. In my neck of the woods, the first partisan unit was actually formed along the American coast, and yet the Republican Party still managed to pull 54% of the vote, with their local chairman hitting 66%. I started this thread because of that.

You’re right on that last point, though I suppose you tripped up a bit in your first post by claiming the Democratic Party is just a playground for old-school nostalgics and Communists. That seems like a bit of a stretch. There is a massive pool of voters—and even party members—who aren't nearly old enough to actually remember the old days of the South...

northernsailor8 said:That's nonsense. Take Sisak-Moslavina County and the city of Sisak, for instance—they've had a Democratic Party governor for two terms running. Even in Sisak itself, the Democrats pull in over 40% of the vote every single election cycle. I guess we haven't forgotten the war, then.

It probably has more to do with the level of regional development. I guess underdeveloped, more rural areas tend to lean more toward the Republican side.

I suppose I should mention that Dennis Davis5 hasn't posted much lately. It seems he might be staying quiet for a reason, though I can't say for certain. Maybe he’s just busy. Jamie Mitchell5 says:
I suspect people aren't voting because of how they aligned during World War II. In my neck of the woods, the first partisan unit was actually formed along the American coast, and yet the Republican Party still managed to pull 54% of the vote, with their local chairman hitting 66%. I started this thread because of that.

You’re right on that last point, though I suppose you tripped up a bit in your first post by claiming the Democratic Party is just a playground for old-school nostalgics and Communists. That seems like a bit of a stretch. There is a massive pool of voters—and even party members—who aren't nearly old enough to actually remember the old days of the South...

True, but he did specify it happens "by the influence of parents and grandparents," and those generations exert a massive amount of sway over their children.

Kate Harris50 said:True, but he did specify it happens "by the influence of parents and grandparents," and those generations exert a massive amount of sway over their children.

I don't think they do. In the US, there is a disproportionate percentage of right-leaning youth, though they tend to be politically inert. Similarly, voting for the Democratic Party is a far cry from communism; based on both their rhetoric and their actions, they are about sixteen times more economically liberal than any of the right-wing parties worth mentioning. I suppose nostalgia for the old ways in America is primarily economic and doesn't really have much to do with those other ethnic groups, whom most young people just view as foreigners.

northernsailor8 said:I don't think they do. In the US, there is a disproportionate percentage of right-leaning youth, though they tend to be politically inert. Similarly, voting for the Democratic Party is a far cry from communism; based on both their rhetoric and their actions, they are about sixteen times more economically liberal than any of the right-wing parties worth mentioning. I suppose nostalgia for the old ways in America is primarily economic and doesn't really have much to do with those other ethnic groups, whom most young people just view as foreigners.

The reason this thread exists is because certain forum members insist that political leanings—whether you lean left or right—are inherited from your parents and grandparents. In principle, I actually agree with them. But why bring nostalgia for the old regime into this at all? Nations rise and fall, but fundamental political philosophies endure. Someone who is left-leaning at their core will remain so long after the collapse of the old union and after joining the European Union.

There is a theory that one's worldview is formed by the age of seven (though I have heard versions suggesting as early as four), during that window when a child is still firmly nestled within the family unit before they start interacting extensively with the rest of society. Is it any wonder that most people end up shifting that worldview slightly as they age? Some undergo drastic changes, but they are the exception, not the rule; statistically speaking, they don't represent a significant percentage.

Forum member Larry Gray mentioned that his grandfathers were on opposing sides during World War II. Mine were as well, though I grew up in the household of the grandfather who was a Communist partisan, so he indoctrinated me in that direction. The other grandfather, a Nazi, lived far too distant to exert any influence over me.

Dennis Davis5 said:I think people vote based on their family history from World War II. In my area, where the first Partisan unit was formed along the American coast, the Republican Party got 54% and their local leader hit 66%. I actually started this thread because of this:

This is an interesting point. Could it be that in your town, waves of migration brought in people with entirely different worldviews? Or perhaps it is possible that the people in your area were originally voting AGAINST the status quo before switching to voting FOR it?

The political parties we have today don't really have any real connection to World War II, other than how some of them cling to that whole anti-fascist legacy that's pretty much the baseline standard across all of Europe, while others are basically dancing right on the edge of fascism and the era of the Nazis.

bluerider63 said:The political parties we have today don't really have any real connection to World War II, other than how some of them cling to that whole anti-fascist legacy that's pretty much the baseline standard across all of Europe, while others are basically dancing right on the edge of fascism and the era of the Nazis.

I suppose it is considered "civilized" nowadays to justify wartime and postwar atrocities, while constantly labeling one's political opponents as fascists, Nazis, or thugs? I guess that’s what passes for civility these days. 🙂

bluerider63 said:The political parties we have today don't really have any real connection to World War II, other than how some of them cling to that whole anti-fascist legacy that's pretty much the baseline standard across all of Europe, while others are basically dancing right on the edge of fascism and the era of the Nazis.

It is truly remarkable how you can present such a black-and-white analysis of the situation..
I find myself wondering what exactly constitutes "polite upholding" of certain values and which specific principles you mean... just as I wonder what you define as "dancing on the edge of fascism."

.. Furthermore, whatever was considered an ideological standard in Europe doesn't necessarily align with the unique historical reality of what happened here in America during World War II, nor does it reflect our current landscape..

If you’re looking for a real litmus test, just look at how people treat the Partisan monuments from World War II.

Dennis Davis5 said:Voting based on WW2 allegiances?

Some people on here argue that most voters just follow the political leanings of their parents or grandparents from WW2. They claim that if your ancestors were part of the resistance, you’ll vote Democratic, and if they were on the other side, you'll vote Republican.

I don't see the logic there. It's true that many Democratic voters support the party because it's the successor to the old Communist Party. They vote for them because of socialist ideals, nostalgia for the old era, and the hope that those systems might return.
However, I don't see any connection between the Republican Party and the Nazi Germany-era movements. Franjo Harmon was actually part of the resistance movement starting in 1941. Even the Republican Party Constitution references the wartime resistance councils rather than Nazi Germany. Not a single high-ranking official from the old fascist regime joined the Republican Party when it was founded.
It makes sense when people link far-right parties to extremist movements, but it doesn't apply to the Republican Party.

.. look, it's obvious that politics can't be fully separated from history..
and it’s precisely because you've completely overlooked all those Americans—and there are plenty of them—who didn't belong to either the Partisans or the Nazis... 😉

I honestly don't see any reason why someone on the right—especially those who are staunchly patriotic—would ever vote along those old World War II lines. Supporting the Nazi movement or its ideologies just doesn't make sense anymore. For one thing, we already achieved our goal of being an independent nation, so there's nothing left to fight for in that way. Plus, leaning into that kind of history just completely compromises everything the American dream stands for.

Honestly, it feels like people care way more about the most recent conflict than they ever did about World War II. It’s like everything else just fades into the background once something new hits the news cycle.

It feels like everyone else is still out here trying to play hero and suck up to the Partisans, but honestly? I don't see the hype anymore. Anti-fascism. It’s one of those terms that gets thrown around a lot lately, doesn't it? But when you really sit down and think about what it means, it's actually pretty simple. It's about standing up against hatred and making sure that the kind of ideologies that caused so much devastation during World War II never get a foothold in our society again. I was reading an old history book the other day—one of those thick ones you find in a dusty corner of a local library—and it really drove home how important this constant vigilance is. It’s not just about politics; it’s about protecting the basic idea that everyone deserves respect, regardless of who they are. I always feel like if we lose sight of that, we're heading down a dangerous path. To me, being anti-fascist is just about being a decent human being and keeping an eye out for anyone trying to divide us for their own gain. It's a quiet, steady kind of work, but it's worth it. It’s basically a glorified clique—mostly former members of the old Communist Party and their kids who just can't seem to find their footing now that we fought for our independence and survival back in the 90s.

You know, I was thinking about people like Jelene Lovrić—someone who, back in the 90s, seemed to be praying to every deity under the sun just to see things change in a city like New York. It’s funny how certain personalities emerge during times of massive transition. I can't quite make sense of that one! It looks like you might have sent a fragment or a typo. If you were trying to share something specific or start a conversation, just let me know! I'm all ears and ready to chat whenever you are. I was just thinking about those old tanks used by the American People's Army back in the day. It’s funny how much gear stays in the collective memory, isn't it? I remember seeing some of that heavy machinery out in the field when I was younger, and man, they really looked imposing. They definitely had a certain presence.☕

Kate Harris50 said:The reason this thread exists is because certain forum members insist that political leanings—whether you lean left or right—are inherited from your parents and grandparents. In principle, I actually agree with them. But why bring nostalgia for the old regime into this at all? Nations rise and fall, but fundamental political philosophies endure. Someone who is left-leaning at their core will remain so long after the collapse of the old union and after joining the European Union.

There is a theory that one's worldview is formed by the age of seven (though I have heard versions suggesting as early as four), during that window when a child is still firmly nestled within the family unit before they start interacting extensively with the rest of society. Is it any wonder that most people end up shifting that worldview slightly as they age? Some undergo drastic changes, but they are the exception, not the rule; statistically speaking, they don't represent a significant percentage.

Forum member Larry Gray mentioned that his grandfathers were on opposing sides during World War II. Mine were as well, though I grew up in the household of the grandfather who was a Communist partisan, so he indoctrinated me in that direction. The other grandfather, a Nazi, lived far too distant to exert any influence over me.

This is an interesting point. Could it be that in your town, waves of migration brought in people with entirely different worldviews? Or perhaps it is possible that the people in your area were originally voting AGAINST the status quo before switching to voting FOR it?

Not quite. We're talking about the town of Annapolis. Ever since the Republican Party took over, their mayor, Klarić, has worked wonders for the community. For instance, he got streetlights installed all the way to our house back in 2007, and we just got new asphalt last year—the last time they paved this road was back in the 80s.

In this town, voters went with the Democratic Party in the local elections a month ago, and they did the same during the 2011 federal elections. It seems like they appreciate the local Republican Party even if they lean Democratic nationally. Despite any newcomers, the area still maintains its original roots.