Why Did Voldemort Not Join Forces with Grindelwald?

The partnership between two of the most powerful dark wizards in the Harry Potter universe, Voldemort and Grindelwald, never materialized due to a combination of ideological differences, ambition, historical context, and mutual threats. This article delves into the reasons why their alliance remained, ultimately, a non-starter.

Differences in Ideology

Grindelwald and Voldemort had fundamentally different goals and ideologies. Grindelwald sought to establish a world where wizards would rule over Muggles, a stance that was focused on supremacy and control over non-magical beings. On the other hand, Voldemort was driven by the ideology of pureblood supremacy, favoring wizards of noble blood over those of mixed heritage or Muggle descent. These differing perspectives would have created significant friction in any potential alliance.

Ambition and Control

Voldemort was an incredibly ambitious individual who desired to be the most powerful dark wizard of his time. This meant that he was not interested in sharing power with anyone, including Grindelwald. Even if Grindelwald had a significant following and influence, Voldemort’s narcissistic tendencies and need for absolute control would have made any partnership untenable. He was more concerned with securing his own dominance over the wizarding world.

Historical Context

The timeline of Voldemort’s rise to power coincided with a different era in the wizarding world, following Grindelwald’s defeat and imprisonment in 1945. By the time Voldemort emerged in the 1970s, the historical context and power dynamics had already shifted, making any traditional alliance between them unlikely. This change in the landscape of the wizarding world further reinforced the notion that Voldemort would operate independently to establish his own legacy.

Fear of Competition

Voldemort might also have viewed Grindelwald as a potential rival. Given their similar goals of domination, Voldemort would likely have perceived any collaboration with Grindelwald as a risk. Grindelwald could have overshadowed Voldemort, making the partnership mutually detrimental. Voldemort’s history of eliminating perceived threats and his lack of willingness to work with others as collaborators only further solidifies this perspective.

Grindelwald’s Supremacy versus Voldemort’s

Grindelwald appeared to be more willing to share power and include other dark wizards in his vision, which may have been viewed by Voldemort as too lenient and dilutive of his pureblood supremacist ideals. Grindelwald’s approach to leadership may have been less about total control and more about building a coalition of like-minded wizards. However, Voldemort’s vision required absolute obedience and loyalty, qualities that would have been unattainable if he had to share power.

The idea of Voldemort joining forces with someone who represents the opposite of his core beliefs is highly improbable. The conflicting ideologies, combined with the inherent distrust and ambition of both individuals, would have precluded any meaningful alliance. As a result, while Grindelwald was active, Voldemort would have seen him as a threat and eliminated him to secure his own position as the dominant dark wizard.

In conclusion, the combination of differing ideologies, Voldemort's overwhelming ambition, and the historical context of their timelines prevented any potential alliance. The dynamics and attitudes of both Voldemort and Grindelwald indicate that any collaboration would have been severely challenging, if not impossible, to achieve.