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Eighty-year Legacy Haunts: Is a Third World War Inevitable? Many Believe So
Prediction Indicates a High Probability of Another Global Conflict - Majority Opinion: World War III appears imminent, based on general public beliefs.
By: Patrick Rösing
After May 8, 1945, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief. Germany, in a state of unconditional surrender, signaled the end of World War II in Europe. But as the years roll by, the shadow of past fears continues to linger. The YouGov Institute sought to explore these lingering concerns with citizens in five European countries and the USA regarding the possibility of another global conflict.
Specter of War
Across all countries, a significant portion of respondents anticipate a potential Third World War within the next five to ten years. Seventy-seven percent of French citizens express concern, with only 47% of their German counterparts sharing this sentiment.
Principal apprehensions focus on pre-existing tensions with Russia (78%), closely followed by Islamic terrorism (72%). German respondents list tensions with the USA as an additional source of concern (55%).
What if a conflict does arise? Notably, 65% of Germans question the Bundeswehr's ability to effectively defend the nation in such a situation.
Global Aid and Alliance
In the face of conflict, an average of 57 percent of respondents declared their countries should come to the aid of a NATO partner under attack. This compared higher in the UK, with 65% affirming support.
YouGov polled opinions surrounding the possibility of repeating crimes akin to the ones committed during the Nazi regime. Europeans generally maintain faith that such atrocities will not reoccur. However, Germans present a contrasting view, revealing skepticism towards prevention.
Reflections on World War II: Then and Now
Responses regarding military involvement in World War II differed greatly between nations. While the USA, UK, and France, all members of the Allies, found their participation justified, Germany and Italy, former Axis powers, saw their involvement less positively. Only 70% of Germans perceived their nation's participation as wrong.
When assessing which country played the greatest role in defeating Nazi Germany, respondents overwhelmingly credited the USA for its efforts. However, UK citizens, with a majority of their respondents, perceived their own country as the primary agent of victory.
Intriguingly, when questioned about the morality of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 63% disagreed that the actions were justified, albeit with the USA showing the highest support (79%) and Germany exhibiting the lowest (11%).
Nearly three-quarters of respondents across all countries envision the use of nuclear weapons in a potential Third World War.
Peacekeepers in Post-War Europe
NATO was widely recognized by Germans as a significant contributor to peacekeeping efforts in Europe following World War II. NATO received accolades from 38% of respondents for its vital role. The European Union (25%) also received praise, with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization being lauded in 2012.
However, supporters of the AfD attributed a less prominent part to the EU in safeguarding European peace, while Green supporters found the EU's role equivalent to that of NATO.
The United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) were commonly viewed as playing less significant roles in fostering peace.
World War II Knowledge in Recent Times
Eighty years after its conclusion, most Germans express knowledge of World War II and its context, with men claiming to be more informed than women. When queried about the importance of teaching about World War II in schools, 82% agreed on the necessity of incorporating war history into the curriculum, but this perceived importance dropped among AfD supporters (26%).
*Methodology: YouGov conducted surveys among the adult resident population of the countries studied in April 2025. In Germany, 2318 people participated, while 1622 contributed in the UK. Among France's population, 1081 people participated, followed by 1023 in Italy, 1051 in Spain, and 1152 Americans[5].
[1]: YouGov France survey results
[2]: YouGov UK survey results
[3]: YouGov Germany survey results
[4]: YouGov Italy survey results
[5]: YouGov USA survey results
- The YouGov Institute, in a poll conducted in 2025, revealed that a significant percentage of respondents from various countries anticipate a Third World War within the next five to ten years, with 77% of French citizens expressing concern, while only 47% of their German counterparts shared this sentiment.
- Across the surveyed countries, principal apprehensions about a potential Third World War focus on pre-existing tensions with Russia (78%) and Islamic terrorism (72%), with German respondents also listing tensions with the USA as an additional concern (55%).
- According to the YouGov poll, an average of 57% of respondents declared their countries should come to the aid of a NATO partner under attack, with 65% of Germans questioning the Bundeswehr's ability to effectively defend the nation in such a situation.
- The study also found that nearly three-quarters of respondents across all countries envision the use of nuclear weapons in a potential Third World War.
