WWII wasn't entirely their fault (a lot of factors led up to it) but regardless that is partly it (to break down resistance to rule or potential to challenge existing powers). There is more to it though because the same methods are being used against most of Europe at the same time, so it's bigger than Germany.
I think it has more to do with the EU and the dissolution of nations within it. It's not an easy thing to do, to break down the various peoples and cultures like that, so weakening the population (neutralize or even reverse their survival instinct) to reduce resistance makes sense in that context.