I agree entirely. It's actually a pretty good metaphor. My understanding was exactly what you described: the US kept punching Germany until they finally said "okay, let's settle this" and then the US said "oh no evil Germany is aggressively attacking us!"
I think modern media and historians use that "fact" to twist the truth. In reality it proves the opposite - Germany was actually a lawful country that respected the Rule of Law. They weren't willing to debase themselves to respond in kind to US aggression without an official declaration.
I would agree. And it's not even an American-only thing. Every country or belief system requires a "foundational" myth to give them their legitimacy.
It's insanely difficult for anyone to change the beliefs they were taught as a child. It's unfortunately not an intelligence thing.
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