it was the inspiration for either of the English phrases. The opposite slogan, lieber rot als tot ("better red than dead"), was popular among German speakers during the Cold War as well. In the strong pacifist movement in France in 1937, Jean Giono, a leading spokesman, asked, "What's the worst that can happen if Germany invades France? Become Germans? For my part, I prefer being a living German to being a dead Frenchman." Another version of the phrase took hold in Francoist Spain, adapted to Antes roja que rota ("better red than broken"), in reference to the threat posed by separatist groups in the regions of Catalonia and the Basque Country. See also Liever Turks dan Paaps ("Rather Turkish than Papist") – slogan used during the 16th-century Dutch Revolt References 1930s neologisms 1950s neologisms Anti-Chinese sentiment Anti-communism Communism Political catchphrases Bullying