WWII Hitler

How does the Milgram experiment challenge or support your opinion on the responsibility soldiers hold for committing violent acts during war? (2)

The Milgram Experiment (1961) showed that people are likely to obey authority figures, even when instructed to harm others. This supports the idea that soldiers under Hitler’s regime may have committed violence due to the Führerprinzip (absolute obedience to hierarchical authority) and social conditioning. However, it doesn’t fully absolve individual responsibility, as some resisted (e.g., Jehovah’s Witnesses).

What are two examples of how racism was mainstream before WWII? (2)

- Social Darwinism and Imperialism: Racist ideologies justified colonialism and the belief in Aryan superiority (slides mention "racism of imperialism").

- Anti-Semitic Policies: The U.S. Gentleman’s Agreement (1920s) and the KKK’s public marches (e.g., 1926 Washington rally) normalized racism

How did the Brutality of WWI showcase itself? How did it influence WWII? (2)

- Showcased by: Trench warfare, mass casualties, and the Treaty of Versailles’ punitive terms, which humiliated Germany.

- Influence on WWII: Fueled German resentment, nationalist extremism, and Hitler’s rise by promising to overturn the treaty’s injustices.

What level of "impact" do you think the Great Depression had on WWII? Explain your answer. (3)

Critical impact: The Depression destabilized Germany (e.g., 1930 emergency decrees under Chancellor Brüning), causing hyperinflation and unemployment. The Nazis exploited this chaos, gaining support by blaming Jews and promising economic recovery (e.g., 1932 elections). Without the Depression, Hitler might not have risen to power

What are three key propaganda principles used by Joseph Goebbels that are especially impactful? (3)

- Repetition: Slogans like “Don’t buy from Jews” were repeated to normalize anti-Semitism.

- Displacement of Aggression: Specifying targets (e.g., Jews as “subjects” under Nuremberg Laws) to channel public anger.

- Anxiety Creation: Propaganda like “60,000 RM is what this person with genetic defects costs…” heightened fear to justify eugenics.

Explain Hitler’s rise to power? (From WWI to absolute power over Germany)

Weak government + Depression + propaganda + fear

1. WWI & Early Nazi Party (1918–1923)

- Fought in WWI; blamed Jews for Germany’s defeat.

- Joined (then took over) the Nazi Party.

- Failed 1923 coup (**Beer Hall Putsch**) → jailed, wrote Mein Kampf.

2. Great Depression Helps Nazis (1929–1933)

- Economy crashed; Germans desperate.

- Nazi propaganda blamed Jews/communists.

- Votes surged: 2.6% (1928) → 37% (1932).

3. Becomes Chancellor (1933)

- Appointed by conservatives who thought they could control him.

- Reichstag Fire → used it to ban rivals, pass Enabling Act (dictator powers).

4. Total Control (1934)

- Purged rivals (**Night of the Long Knives**).

- Declared Führer after President Hindenburg died.

- Nuremberg Laws (1935) began persecuting Jews.

Explain the slow acceleration of the Holocaust and why it was important to its “success.” Explain your answer. (4)

Why Slow Acceleration Worked

- Normalized Evil: People adjusted step-by-step (e.g., first laws, then violence).

- Avoided Resistance: Sudden genocide might have sparked rebellion; slow burn crushed hope.

- Bureaucratic Cover: Paperwork (e.g., train schedules) made murder seem "routine."

Result: 6 million Jews murdered before the world fully understood or acted.