What If the July 20th Plot Had Succeeded? A World Without Hitler’s Reign

On July 20, 1944, a group of German officers led by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler. The plot, known as Operation Valkyrie, was a failure, and Hitler survived. But what if the plot had succeeded? What would a world without Hitler’s reign have looked like? This article explores the potential outcomes and implications of a successful July 20th plot.

The Immediate Aftermath

If the July 20th plot had succeeded, the immediate aftermath would have been chaotic. The plotters planned to use the confusion following Hitler’s death to seize control of the government and negotiate a peace treaty with the Allies. However, it’s uncertain whether they would have been able to maintain control in the face of opposition from loyal Nazi officials and the SS.

The End of World War II

One of the main goals of the July 20th plotters was to end World War II. They believed that Hitler’s death would demoralize the German military and make it easier to negotiate a peace treaty. However, it’s unclear whether the Allies would have accepted a peace treaty from a post-Hitler German government. The Allies had already agreed at the Casablanca Conference in January 1943 that they would accept nothing less than unconditional surrender from Germany.

The Holocaust

Another potential outcome of a successful July 20th plot is the possibility that the Holocaust might have ended sooner. By July 1944, millions of Jews had already been murdered in concentration camps. However, if Hitler had been assassinated, it’s possible that the remaining camps might have been shut down, saving countless lives.

The Cold War

Without Hitler, the post-war division of Europe might have been different. The Soviet Union might not have been able to establish a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe, and the Cold War might have been avoided. However, this is highly speculative and depends on a number of factors, including the actions of the other Allied powers and the internal politics of the Soviet Union.

Conclusion

While it’s impossible to know for certain what would have happened if the July 20th plot had succeeded, it’s clear that the world would have been very different. Hitler’s death could have led to an earlier end to World War II, saved countless lives, and potentially even prevented the Cold War. However, these outcomes depend on a number of factors and are highly speculative. Regardless, the July 20th plot remains a fascinating “what if” in history.