There is the tendency to equalize the two events/historical figures/etc.

[GeneD]

When expressing the idea This is as bad/good as that, especially talking about historical events, how can I express the equality sign in This=that? For example:

There is the tendency to equalize the two events/historical figures/etc.
There is the tendency to put the equality sign between the two events/historical figures/etc.

 

[jutfrank]

Your suggestions don't work.

The most appropriate verb really depends on the sentence. I think the verb you're looking for is equate.

However, depending as always on context, you could just simply use compare.

There is a tendency to compare the Trump administration to the Nazi regime of the 1930s.

In other contexts, you may need to use a longer verb phrase, such as attribute equal importance to or place equal blame upon, or hold in equal esteem, whatever it is you want to say exactly.

 

[GeneD]

The most appropriate verb really depends on the sentence. I think the verb you're looking for is equate.

Would either of the following examples work?
There is a tendency to equate X and Hitler? or
There is a tendency to equate the personalities of X and Hitler?

 

[GeneD]

Or what about this?
The equation of "Hitler=X" is popular nowadays.

 

[jutfrank]

Would either of the following examples work?
There is a tendency to equate X and Hitler? or
There is a tendency to equate the personalities of X and Hitler?

Well, it really depends on the context, and on what you mean.

Your first sentence could work, I suppose, in some contexts, but it's not at all clear to me what it could mean. In what way could it make sense to say that X and Hitler are equal, or equivalent? That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Your second sentence makes even less sense.

As I've already said, I think the sentence you're looking for is There is a tendency to compare X to Hitler because what you want to do is compare, not equate. These words are not synonymous.

 

[GeneD]

Maybe I was trying to put it by using the Russian way to convey the idea?..

I've just found an article written by a Russian writer, whose headline is By Equating USSR to Nazi Germany West Covers Up Own Shameful History. Now I wonder if it's me who didn't manage to use the word "equate" properly, or the article was written in Russian English... :-?

 

[jutfrank]

I've just found an article written by a Russian writer, whose headline is By Equating USSR to Nazi Germany West Covers Up Own Shameful History.

As you suggest, the headline was written by someone with less than perfect English.

Note that when using the verb equate, you should use the preposition with, not to.

to equate something with something
to compare something to something