stab-in-the-back myth

English

(historical) The Dolchstoßlegende: a widespread historical conspiracy theory in right-wing circles in Germany after 1918, claiming that Germany did not lose World War I militarily and capitulated needlessly after having been betrayed by civilian leaders (especially Communists).

right wing conspiracy theory

stab-in-the-back myth (plural stab-in-the-back myths)

(by extension) Any denialist myth misattributing failure to internal betrayal.
- 2004, Joshua A. Fogel, Late Qing China and Meiji Japan: Political & Cultural Aspects, Signature Books, page 10:
  Aside from the Cantonese stab-in-the-back myth mentioned earlier, the most up-to-date and authoritative Chinese sources of information on Western affairs then available reinforced arguments in favor of jōi.
- 2023 May 19, Jonathan Freedland, “They’re openly saying it: Brexit has failed. But what comes next may be very dark indeed”, in The Guardian‎^[1], →ISSN:
  That is the process we are witnessing now: the steady nurturing of a stab-in-the-back myth for Brexit. History suggests that this hunt for the wielder of the treacherous dagger will only get nastier.