Sure, although that's kind of like saying that in the 30s and 40s, it wasn't Germany being the asshole—it was Hitler and his Nazi party. Fine, technically accurate, but people still call it "Germany" and "the Germans" as shorthand speech. I don't see that changing any time soon, as in ever.
Just like in subsequent decades it was "the Russians", even though it was officially named The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (only one of which, the largest, was Russia). "Russians" is just a little quicker and easier to say, that's all.
Sure, although that's kind of like saying that in the 30s and 40s, it wasn't Germany being the asshole—it was Hitler and his Nazi party. Fine, technically accurate, but people still call it "Germany" and "the Germans" as shorthand speech. I don't see that changing any time soon, as in ever.
Just like in subsequent decades it was "the Russians", even though it was officially named The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (only one of which, the largest, was Russia). "Russians" is just a little quicker and easier to say, that's all.