Discussion Questions

1.

(a) What different "lessons" do you think world leaders learned from World War I? How might these perceptions have made a second world war more likely?

(b) When modern politicians reference the lessons of World War II, they are often accusing a rival politician of appeasement. Is there a difference between appeasement and diplomatic dialogue? When should we apply the lessons of World War I, and when should we pay more attention to the lessons of World War II?

2.

a) You are a German citizen in the 1930s and 1940s. You fought in a war that you lost, even though you were still deep inside enemy territory. Everyone in Europe seems like they want to keep your country weak. You have lived in poverty because of the harsh peace imposed on Germany and because of the Great Depression. Suddenly, these people show up and tell you that if you support them, they will fix everything. Soon, your life gets better. You have a job, a car, and you get to go on vacation for the first time. You are also made to feel important to the nation. But then strange things start happening. The mentally and physically handicapped are being killed. Jews, Gypsies, and Homosexuals are disappearing. You start to hear rumors about what is happening to them. What do you do? Do you speak up, fight, or stay silent? Why? (b)What are the limits of personal morality? Is it tempting to not "rock the boat" when things are going well? Is fear of punishment a justifiable reason to look the other way? Is morality flexible when it comes to "doing your job," especially if that job supports your family? When should we speak up, and when should we stay silent?