"People were already beginning to forget, what horrible suffering the war had brought them. I did not want to cause fear and panic, but to let people know how dreadful war is and so to stimulate people's powers of resistance"

Otto Dix, a prominent German artist known for his unflinching representations of war's brutality, revealed an extensive belief in this quote. By mentioning, "People were already starting to forget, what dreadful suffering the war had actually brought them", Dix underscores a pervasive propensity amongst societies to carry on from the distressing past. This inclination towards amnesia concerning past disputes is typically driven by the human desire to recover and go back to normality. Nevertheless, Dix's words serve as a warning against such forgetfulness, stressing the requirement of remembering the grim realities of war in order to avoid history from duplicating itself.

Dix did not plan to instill worry or prompt panic with his art-- mentioned in his clarification, "I did not wish to cause worry and panic"-- however sought to evoke awareness and understanding. By portraying war's scaries, he aimed to face audiences with the uncomfortable truths of conflict, hoping that they would internalize these lessons. His assertion, "to let people know how terrible war is", recommends that his artistic ventures were academic and cautionary, directing attention to the acute human suffering and moral destruction that accompany warfare.

The latter part of his declaration, "and so to stimulate people's powers of resistance", introduces a call to action. Dix envisioned a society armed with the knowledge and empathy needed to oppose forces causing war. Resistance here also suggests a broader durability versus desensitization to violence and the normalization of military rhetoric. By remembering and assessing previous atrocities, individuals and neighborhoods are most likely to challenge political and social movements that might lead to renewed conflict.

In essence, Otto Dix utilized his art as a powerful avenue for historical memory and social advocacy. His work serves both as a testimony to the suffering of war and as a beacon motivating alertness, compassion, and resistance to the forces that perpetuate dispute. This necessitates a mindful engagement with history and an unwavering dedication to peace and humanitarian values.