• OBJECTION!@lemmy.ml
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      5 days ago

      No, not really. How many years of malnutrition (and much worse) did British colonies like India experience? As far as unconditionally surrendering after starting the deadliest conflict in human history goes, that’s very light.

        • OBJECTION!@lemmy.ml
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          5 days ago

          If someone punches me in the face, that’s cruel. If we’ve both stepped into a boxing ring, it’s not really cruel. If a country is subjected to three years of malnutrition under a foreign occupation, that’s cruel, if they do that after the country was forced into unconditional surrender after starting the deadliest conflict in human history (and then give them billions of dollars in 1950s money to help them rebuild), I don’t really call that cruel, I call that light and merciful.

          Like what other historical precedents are you using as a standard for what could be expected? It was less cruel than the Japanese occupation, for example.