Crimea’s controversial referendum on joining Russia has reminded some observers of previous acts of aggression in Europe.
Some commentators are drawing parallels with other countries where an ethnic minority’s interests were once backed by a powerful neighbor, with far-reaching consequences. Adolf Hitler’s plebiscite in the Sudetenland is often mentioned in this connection.
The Sudetenland was the name for northern, southwest, and western areas of pre-war Czechoslovakia, which were inhabited mostly by German speakers.
The Sudeten crisis began in February 1938 when Hitler demanded self-determination for all Germans in Austria and Czechoslovakia.
Then came the Munich conference, at which Britain and France, in an attempt to appease Nazi Germany, gave the Sudetenland to Germany.
Hitler sent his troops into the Sudetenland in October 1938, and before long Europe was plunged into World War Two.
Writing in the Washington Post, former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, who remains bitter about the war with Russia in 2008, said ”Many in the West are talking about the need to reach some kind of compromise with Russia, an option that smacks of Munich 80 years ago.”
1. draw parallels v. phr.
對照 (dui4 zhao4)
例: Artists draw parallels between photography and painting.
2. far-reaching adj. phr.
深遠的 (shen1 yuan3 de5)
例: The government’s decision to phase out nuclear power will have far-reaching implications.
3. smack of v. phr.
微帶某味 (wei2 dai4 mou3 wei4)
例: Your arguments smack of racism.