Are we really experiencing what Germany did before WWII?
By debrakcarey
@debrakcarey (19887)
United States
September 2, 2009 1:18pm CST
In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.
They came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came fore me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.
So many are comparing what America is experiencing to what took place in Germany and actually most of Europe in the early 1930's. Are we seeing the return of the horrors of that regime? What does history say about that time, have the facts been twisted or left out? Is it true that those who ignore history are bound to repeat it? Are Americans capable of turning a blind eye to those kinds of atrocities?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
2 Sep 09
What is the old adage? History repeats it's self. Well let's see if we can turn the tide and stop it before people like us who speak up start to disappear.
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
2 Sep 09
Another adage, parallel to that one is: The one thing we learn from history, is that we DON'T learn from history.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
3 Sep 09
Especially when that history has been 'cleaned' up, twisted and distorted. Our young peopel are not learning the truth of it all in higher educational institutions.
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
3 Sep 09
Not to mention those who are trying to insist it never happened. But then again you can dig back further and this upheaval is exactly what has happened in almost all democracies every 200-300 years, all over the world. It is the way society blooms.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
2 Sep 09
Germany had:
1. War reparations to pay back
2. Runaway inflation
3. Some of their territory occupied by foreign troops and some that had been given to other countries (disputed)
4. Feelings of defeat, resentment, embarrassment, paranoia, etc. over losing the war and the treaty of Versailles
5. Several handy scapegoats for Hitler to point at
We have enemies in the world and the economy isn't so great right now, but I wouldn't say that we're experiencing what the Germans did, not nearly.
But could we end up there? Maybe. Under the right conditions, almost certainly. Our government has been doing some really scary things...
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
2 Sep 09
Maybe the comparison is being made BEFORE the things you mention, with those things being still in the future for America?
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
2 Sep 09
well we certainly do have some of the paranoia if nothing else...
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
3 Sep 09
The war reparations cause economic troubles. We've certainly have had those. We are involved in two very unpopular wars...and we've had bad inflation and collapse of several major industries. We have bitterness over illegal aliens...
And we definately feel resentment and paranoia...that helped a radical sort of person with a magnetic personality to be elected...the swooning over him, the media backing him. It is similar enough.
What I think this is refering to is that attitude of our government towards us...the reporting on fellow citizens, the radical shift from moderate to somewhat radical thinking on the part of our leaders. It's the czars that scare me the most...have you researched some of what they are saying?
FEMA camps...possibility of martial law if a major crisis happens..Our president making a speech saying he will ask for 'prolonged detention for those who he deems a danger to the stability of the country, (search Rachael Maddow/Obama on YouTube to see her report on the speech). Pelosi's remarks about 'unAmerican' protesters...keeping lists that include conservatives and veterans.
Some of the things may not be right on the mark, but our government certainly is making it seem like they're centralizing power....and leaving us with very little.
1 person likes this
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
2 Sep 09
I've heard many comparisons drawn and I can see validity in them.
Germany today must be congratulated for the way they have overcome what must be to them a nightmare period of their history. One would expect that we would all learn from their past mistakes, but the fact is, as someone once said, "The one thing we learn from history is that we don't learn from history."
I know when I watched the victory celebrations after the US elections, I couldn't help comparing them with the adulation of the crowds when Hitler came to power. I sincerely hoped then that I was wrong. Things I've heard since then have done nothing to ease the suspicions, but rather have confirmed them.
I am not American, but we all know that what happens in America affects the rest of the world. I sincerely hope I am wrong in the way I see things that appear to be happening there, but every day brings more evidence to support the contrary.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
3 Sep 09
America and the Allies defeated Hitler...who will come to OUR rescue?
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
3 Sep 09
I would say that we are witnessing the development of our very own Totalitarian Regime modeled after Mussolini and Hitler.
Many fact are being hidden, and the propaganda is rampant... and yes, history ignored is history repeated.
The signs are all there, the actions and preparations are plainly visible to all, and yet they are ignored.
The conservative majority of America is keenly aware... The socialist and highly vocal minority is currently in power and feverishly pushing it's agenda.
The atrocities are soon to begin.
@DCLehnsherr (1037)
•
2 Sep 09
Hi Debra,
I have to admit to being largely unaware to what is going on in the US, but I do agree that if we ignore history we are liable to repeat it. I do find it hard to imagine that the US would be the country to commit something like that though. I know there are people around who deny the Holocaust and pretend that it never happened, but I always figured that there were more people in existence who had been taught about it and would take steps to make sure it, or something like it, never happened again. I really hope that America wouldn't be able to turn a blind eye to such things, I mean with the media and education I really did imagine that people knew too much to repeat the mistakes of history. I guess only time will tell in the long run. Should something like that try and happen in the UK though I would fight against it, I am not going to sit around and see The holocaust happen again.
Dranz
PS: If you were willing to add more information about what is going on in the US I would love to know what inspired this discussion :)
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
3 Sep 09
There is a debate going on about Healthcare refrom. The Congress and President are trying to rush through a bill that many believe will usher in socialism at it's worst. Beside that, we are seeing more legislation passed that gives power to the government and its bureaucracy and away from the people.
Our Constitution gives us the right to speak up, 'free speech' is an inherent right that cannot be infringed upon. Disagreeing with the government is something Americans do freely without fear, this summer our government is infringing on that right. Our president asked for those who support healthcare reform...ie. socialized medicine, to report anything 'fishy' to the White HOuse that they received in emails, concerning the reform bill. We have laws that specifically deny the President or Congress from being able to collect personal data about people's communication.
As for people denying the holocaust...soon they may be able to convince the world...those who lived through it are all dying off...and if we don't do more to educate the young..they will be open to the lies of those who would say it never happened.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
3 Sep 09
You're welcome. I would hope we don't have to see if socialized medicine works or not....
@DCLehnsherr (1037)
•
3 Sep 09
Hi Debra,
Wow I had heard that the US was looking to add something like the NHS to their healthcare system, but I didn't think they were going about it in that sort of way, spying on the US citizens. I am hoping that the NHS system won't usher in socialism though. We have had it for a while in the UK and seem to be doing fine, though I could completely have missed the point there lol!
As for the Holocaust deniers I would take them to Auschwitz and see if they deny it then! And with the children I would definitely teach them about it so they can make sure that those lies don't take hold. I just find it insane to imagine they could, but again, that's just me.
All the best and many thanks for the extra explanation :)
Dranz
