Introduction
General George Patton was one of the most iconic American generals during World War II, mainly due to his public persona and successful military campaigns. When first introduced to the public during World War II, he was widely considered a controversial figure (Bradley 60). The controversy was largely due to his aggressive and bold personality, which often led him to make headlines for all the wrong reasons. However, the public’s perception of Patton has changed significantly over time. He is now widely regarded as one of the most successful and effective military commanders in history. His reputation gradually changed over the years from admiration to disdain as the public came to grips with his controversial behavior and personality.
How the Perspective of General Patton (WW2) has changed
General Patton perspective has changed over time because his views about the Nazi’s, even though he may have not been aware of it at the time, changed over time. He used to always be quick to judge people with ideas that were different from his own. After seeing the horrors that they committed during war, he grew more tolerant of other ways of thinking (Bradley 62). He was also less defensive of himself and spoke his mind much more freely than he did in WWII, openly admitting when there is room for improvement or doubting himself at time. The time and place of General Patton’s exploits has changed throughout the years. Going from a small town boy to a general, he was able to serve his country in his own way and bring justice to all of those who needed it.
When one look at General Patton’s life and his war experiences, we see that he started off as a strong-willed commander who wanted to be in charge of things, but over time, he changed his perspective. He became very patient and humble after being defeated on several occasions by other generals who were younger and less experienced than himself (Bradley 62). It seems as if he learned to understand the natural rhythm of battles, instead of getting mired in the details. As his decision making skills improved and his confidence grew, so did his ability to lead.
Reasons for Controversy
Patton was initially divisive for a variety of reasons. He was well known, among other things, for being fiercely independent and unafraid to speak his views. This frequently caused him to disagree with other military leaders who thought Patton was not carefully following their example. Patton was also frequently charged with saber-rattling and having an exaggerated sense of his own talents (Orlando 19). The rising popularity of military history is one element that has contributed to the shift in public attitude regarding Patton (Orlando 19). Military manuals and motion pictures have demonstrated that Patton’s strategies frequently work, even in challenging circumstances. This has demonstrated that Patton’s strategies are effective in some circumstances and has helped to remove the perception that he was a brutal leader.
Patton’s reputation began to decline in 1945 when he was accused of mistreating the Third Army’s African American soldiers. The public outcry that followed led to his resignation from command. He was involved in a glancing collision accident where he was thrown against the roof and fell forward into the glass partition behind the driver’s seat, breaking his neck (Orlando 19). He died in his sleep on December 21, 1945, after spending 12 days in the hospital. However, before his death he had a reputation of being an excellent tactician who led men successfully into battle and won many victories against the Germans
Patton is now generally viewed as a controversial and unpleasant figure, with many people holding negative opinions about him. This change in public perception is largely due to his highly publicized behavior and personality in the years leading up to and during World War II. Patton was known for his aggressive and egocentric style and propensity for making offensive remarks about other military leaders. These traits made him a controversial figure, with many people viewing him as unprofessional and arrogant. General Patton’s racist comments about the Jews have caused many people to view him in a negative light (Stoler 80).
For example, he claimed that the Jews were responsible for all of America’s problems in World War II. These comments have led to people hating him even if they had no personal experience with him discrimination from the Jews during World War II.
Patton’s military record is now viewed more positively than in the past. While he was known for his aggressive and egocentric style, many of his accomplishments during the war were highly successful. He led Patton’s Third Army during the invasion of North Africa, a major victory for the Allies. He also played a key role in capturing Sicily and Rome, which helped ensure Allied success in Europe (Stoler 84). General Patton was instrumental in winning World War II for America despite his reputation. He helped lead American troops to victory in the Battle of the Bulge and played a major role in the Allied invasion of France. These successes have led many people to view Patton as a talented military leader rather than simply an unpleasant figure.
Patton’s reputation suffered heavily following the war as he was charged with crimes related to his role in the Battle of Kasserine Pass, which led to a public backlash against him. This backlash continued after he was charged with treason for his role in the failed plot to overthrow President Roosevelt (Grimaldi 12). His highly publicized behavior and personality traits made him a controversial figure, which has led to further changes in the public’s view of him. While he is still viewed unfavorably by many people, his reputation has improved somewhat over time.
Patton’s legacy will continue to be debated for years to come. While many view him as a talented military leader, his aggressive and egocentric style has led to negative public perceptions. His actions following World War II have also caused some people to question his character. While his legacy is still debatable, it is clear that he has left a lasting impression on history. Patton’s story is an interesting reminder of the power of reputation and how it can change over time.
Conclusion
While Patton’s legacy is still subject to debate, it is clear that he has left a lasting impression on history. Patton’s story is an interesting reminder of the power of reputation and how it can change over time. His aggressive and egocentric style has led to negative public perceptions, but his talent as a military leader cannot be denied. His reputation will be contested for years to come, but there is no denying his impact on American history. Overall, it can be argued that Patton’s controversial early years were largely due to his personality rather than his basic military skills. As time passed, these flaws began to fade in the public’s mind, and he is now widely regarded as one of the most successful military commanders in history.
Works Cited
Bradley, Omar. A General’s Life: An Autobiography. Plunkett Lake Press, 2019.
Grimaldi, Karen A. The Impact of Military Communication and Leadership on the Outcome of Defensive Battles During World War II. Diss. Harvard University, 2020.
Hiltunen, Taneli. “Destined to Lead a Lot of Men in a Desperate Battle: Hollywood’s Take on Contradictory Military Commanders in Patton (1970) and Alexander (2004).” Ennen ja nyt: Historian tietosanomat vol.18, no. 2, 2018.
Orlando, Robert. THE TRAGEDY OF PATTON A Soldier’s Date with Destiny: Could World War II’s Greatest General Have Stopped the Cold War? Humanix Books, 2021.
Stoler, Mark. Allies in War: Britain and America Against the Axis Powers, 1940-1945. Plunkett Lake Press, 2022.