In recent years, Europe has positioned itself as a global leader in human rights, justice, and morality. European leaders, now quick to lecture the world on these values, seem to overlook the realities of their own history—a legacy marked by violence, conquest, and oppression.
This selective stance was highlighted recently when Germany’s Foreign Minister defended Israel’s actions in Gaza, including the killing of Palestinian civilians. While shocking to many, this callousness has historical roots in Europe’s own history of conflict and brutality.
Europe prides itself on being a beacon of democracy today, but the continent’s dark and bloody past tells a different story. Take, for instance, the Treaty of Westphalia, often seen as a foundation of modern diplomacy. This landmark agreement only came about after decades of war, during which nearly one-third of Europe’s population perished. In many cases, even diplomats sent to negotiate peace were killed in cold blood. Such events underscore Europe’s entrenched history of violence, which now seems forgotten as leaders claim moral authority.
The French Revolution, too, serves as a reminder of Europe’s paradoxical relationship with justice. Although it is celebrated as the birth of modern democracy, the revolution also witnessed the creation of the guillotine, a machine used to systematically behead dissenters—even those who initially supported the revolutionary cause. This dark chapter demonstrates the violent extremes Europe has historically accepted in the name of justice and progress.
World War I and World War II further shattered the myth of a peaceful, morally superior Europe. These catastrophic events claimed the lives of more than 100 million people and caused untold devastation across continents. Yet, despite the scars left by these wars, Europe today presents itself as a global model of peace and human rights while its leaders gloss over this violent past.
The continent’s role in atrocities continued well into the 20th century. The Srebrenica massacre during the Bosnian War in the 1990s serves as a chilling reminder of European complicity in genocide. Dutch UN peacekeepers, entrusted to protect civilians, instead facilitated the brutal assault on Bosnian Muslims, including women and children, who were killed in a genocide that Europe has struggled to reckon with to this day.
With this legacy in mind, the recent defense of Israeli actions by European leaders—who appear unbothered by the rights of Palestinians—should come as no surprise. While European nations may attempt to cover up this bloody past with polished images and luxury brands, the reality remains: Europe’s moral high ground is more precarious than it appears.
When today’s European leaders preach human rights to the world, they should remember that their own continent has been home to some of history’s most heinous atrocities. Instead of focusing on lecturing others, Europe must confront its legacy of violence and hypocrisy before positioning itself as the world’s moral authority.
