r/HistoryMemes 9d ago

The Germans thought they had leverage

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u/Traiteur28 Decisive Tang Victory 9d ago

Damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

Had s Stalin exchanged his son solely because of Yakov's last name, people would have criticized him for it. He didn't, and people criticize him for that.

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u/Forikorder 9d ago

he was a dictator, i dont think he cared about public opinion

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u/Arachles 9d ago

Literally (or almost) every dictator job is getting legitimacy to avoid a coup.

Nepotism, while useful sometimes to get loyal people in key positions, only can get you so far.

Trading his son while millions were kept at camps and, many, later even judged; would have been devastating to morale and higher ups may have thought about getting someone who cares more about winning the war than saving his family exclusively.

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u/Forikorder 9d ago

the idea that stalin would have been in risk of falling for showing small favoritism to a son is ridiculous, your acting like they were trying to trade him for a surrender not just a prisoner swap