It's End Game

The Second World War was more than a clash of armies, more than the deadliest conflict in human history—it was a titanic struggle over the very future of civilization. At stake was not just land, power, or national pride, but the fundamental ideologies that would govern the world for generations to come. Democracy and totalitarianism, individual freedom and state control, racial supremacy and universal human rights—all clashed on the battlefields of Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. The war was a reckoning, a final confrontation between worldviews that had been brewing since the end of World War I, and its outcome determined the political, economic, and social trajectory of the planet. In many ways, this ideological war has never truly ended, and its echoes can be found in both our present reality and the stories we tell.

One of the most striking modern allegories for this struggle is Avengers: Endgame. More than just the conclusion to a superhero saga, the film mirrors the ideological battle that defined World War II, making it a reflection of our own historical moment. Through its narrative of sacrifice, unity, and the fight against imposed order, Endgame serves as a lens through which we can examine the rising tensions in the real world today—tensions that echo the past in alarming ways.

The World Before the Storm: Parallels to the Past

To understand why Endgame resonates so deeply, we must first look at the world that shaped it. Just as World War II erupted in the wake of the Great Depression and the failures of the post-World War I world order, the real world of 2019—when Endgame was released—was already on the brink of significant ideological conflict. The rise of nationalism, trade wars, and growing authoritarian movements eerily reflected the 1930s, a time when economic despair gave rise to leaders who promised strength at the cost of freedom.

In Endgame, we see a world devastated by the Snap—a universe struggling with loss and fear, not unlike the interwar period of the 20th century. Thanos, like the totalitarian leaders of that era, imposes a brutal vision of "balance," where suffering is not a tragedy but a necessity for the greater good. His cold, detached justification for mass death mirrors the logic of historical regimes that sought racial purity, economic control, or imperial dominance at any cost.

The War Begins: Thanos and the Totalitarian Mindset

Thanos' ideology is not one of chaos, but of enforced order. His belief in sacrificing half of all life for the survival of the whole reflects the mindset of totalitarian rulers who saw entire populations as expendable for the sake of their grand vision. Hitler justified genocide in the name of racial supremacy; Stalin executed and starved millions to maintain state control; imperial Japan rationalized conquest and brutality as a means to secure resources and power. Each of these regimes, like Thanos, believed that their actions were necessary—not evil, but pragmatic.

Captain America, the living relic of World War II, stands in direct opposition to this philosophy. As a man who fought against fascism in its original form, Steve Rogers embodies the ideals of democracy: the belief in individual freedom, the right to self-determination, and the rejection of imposed suffering for a supposed "greater good." His leadership in Endgame is not about dominance, but about unity—bringing together a fractured world to fight against a force that seeks to dictate the fate of all.

The United States Enters: The Real-World Battle Over Democracy

In 2019, when Endgame was released, America was already grappling with its own ideological battle. The rise of nationalist movements, the erosion of democratic norms, and increasing state control over marginalized groups bore troubling similarities to the past. Trump's trade wars, particularly with China and Europe, mirrored the economic tensions that helped spark World War II. His rhetoric about "America First," combined with his admiration for authoritarian leaders, suggested a shift away from the post-war democratic alliances that had defined the modern world order.

At the same time, racial and cultural struggles reached a boiling point. Just as the United States fought against Nazi racial supremacy while enforcing segregation at home, Endgame subtly acknowledges America’s contradictions. Steve Rogers ultimately steps aside, passing the shield to Sam Wilson, a Black man, symbolizing the ongoing struggle over who gets to define patriotism and leadership in a changing America. This moment is more than just a passing of the torch; it is an acknowledgment that democracy must evolve, and that those who were once excluded must now take their rightful place in shaping the future.

The Endgame: The Defeat of Fascism and the Fragility of Victory

In Endgame, the final battle against Thanos is not just about defeating a villain; it is about proving that imposed suffering is not the way forward. The Avengers represent the global coalition of World War II, united not by a shared ideology, but by the necessity of stopping an existential threat. The war ends, the Snap is reversed, but the cost is immense. Tony Stark’s sacrifice mirrors the sacrifices made by countless soldiers and civilians who gave everything to ensure a future free from tyranny.

However, just as World War II did not mark the end of ideological conflict, neither does Endgame. The victory over Thanos is not a permanent solution, just as the defeat of Nazi Germany did not erase the possibility of totalitarian resurgence. The Cold War followed, a new battle between democracy and state control. Today, the rise of authoritarian regimes, the resurgence of white nationalism, and the erosion of democratic institutions suggest that the ideological war of the 20th century is far from over.

The Legacy: The Fight for the Future Never Ends

The consequences of World War II shaped the world we live in today, just as Endgame forces its characters to reckon with the weight of their choices. The creation of the United Nations, the expansion of human rights, and the push for decolonization were direct results of the war’s ideological battles. And yet, the same forces that led to World War II—economic instability, nationalist fervor, and the lure of authoritarian control—are once again on the rise.

Captain America’s story, from his origins in The First Avenger to his final bow in Endgame, is the story of America itself. A nation that once stood against fascism now finds itself wrestling with its own contradictions. The battle lines may have shifted, but the war of ideologies never truly ended. It continues today, in debates over governance, human rights, and the nature of power. The world that emerged from World War II was one where democracy had won—but as history has shown, victories are never permanent.

The war proved one thing above all: the fight for the future is eternal, and it is fought not just with weapons, but with the ideas that define us. The question now, as it was in 1945 and as it was in Endgame, is whether we will stand together to defend those ideas—or whether we will allow history to repeat itself.