Huns???

[crazy legs]

Why are/were the Germans called this by the English?Thanks.

[shaneystar2]

The Hun were a warlike race of people from central Asia
Attila the Hun being the most famous one .
They appeared around Europe during the 4th century and did a bit conquering of the Germans and various others ..
And Wikipedia says ......

On July 27, 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion in China, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany gave the order to "make the name 'German' remembered in China for a thousand years, so that no Chinaman will ever again dare to even squint at a German". This speech, wherein Kaiser Wilhelm invoked the memory of the 5th-century Huns, coupled with the Pickelhaube or spiked helmet worn by German forces until 1916, that was reminiscent of ancient Hun (and Hungarian) helmets, gave rise to later English use of the term for the German enemy during World War I. This usage was reinforced by Allied propaganda throughout the war, and many pilots of the RFC referred to their foe as "The Hun". The usage resurfaced during World War II.

[Clanad]

... And here's the quote to which Shaneystar refers...(from wordorigins) :

"... No quarter will be given, no prisoners will be taken. Let all who fall into your hands be at your mercy. Just as the Huns a thousand years ago, under the leadership of Attila gained a reputation in virtue of which they still live in historical tradition, so may the name of Germany become known in such a manner in China that no Chinaman will ever again even dare to look askance at a German." Once World War I started, Allied propagandists made the most of this quotation and the Germans became known as the Hun.

[crazy legs]

That was quick. Good stuff.

[crazy legs]

Wait. Does that mean the Germans invaded China?

[Pippa68]

Yes they did. They occupied China until 538 AD, I think.

Have you seen the film 'Mulan'? ;o)

[crazy legs]

No?

[Pippa68]

No problem ~ it is a Disney movie and probably relies more on artistic licence..

http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/society/A082455 1.html

[Clanad]

Mulan aside... the Boxer Rebellion was opposed by the remaining colonial and other Western powers that had financial interests in China in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The soldiers sent to put down the rebellion were troops from Austria-Hungary, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, totaling about 400 men and officers. For a full history of the event, read here: http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_boxe r.html

[crazy legs]

tanx

[johnlambert]

As an interesting aside, the Germans had an inscription on their uniform belt buckle which said "Gott mit Uns" meaning God is with us, when some German soldiers were captured by an English regiment formed in the ****** east end of London, they thought the inscpription was translated as "God is on the side of the Huns"

[Count_Emmup]

LOL @ previous rubbish!