Learning About Hitler and the Holocaust

   Recently, my class and I have entered the Night unit after going through seven weeks of the Wait Till Next Year unit. Prior to getting introduced to the Night unit and the history of Hitler, World War One and Two, and the Holocaust, I honestly did not have much interest in the topic. However, after learning and spending more time with this unit, I have come to find a new fascination for the Holocaust. The Holocaust and everything surrounding this time period in history is truly saddening, and I will always have respect for this period in history. I have found a new respect for the Holocaust, World War II, and all of the brave and innocent Jews that got pulled into this. All of the awful and grueling events that happened during this time period in the first half of the 1900s is unimaginable, and it is crazy to think that one spoiled Austrian boy would soon grow up to be someone who misuses all of his power and can brainwash the minds of millions to go against an innocent race. Even though we have only been in this unit for only about a week now, my views towards this period of time in history has changed as I now am beginning to understand more in detail of what happened. Many questions come into my mind surrounding this time period such as: How can one man do all of this? Just how, how can a single person have this much power in their hands? These questions constantly linger in my mind, and it just amazes me as to how one person can have this much power. 

   One of the most intriguing parts of the prior knowledge information that we have been learning about so far was Hitler's life. Someone who constantly failed and had a bitter view towards life when he was younger would grow up to become extremely successful in what he does to the point where he misused and took advantage of all of the power that he had. He was a high school drop out, failed to get into art school, and everything that he did came out as mediocre at best. So how did this Austrian boy soon grow up to be one of Germany's powerful leading figures that was able to invade country after country in an extremely short amount of time? How can someone go from little success to extreme success in what he did during his time of power? He basically had the world in his hands, invading country after country, having a large following, becoming one of the most powerful leaders in the world at the time. Just imagine walking on the streets of Austria back then and seeing a little boy with his mother. Little did people know that when he would grow up, he would climb up to power quickly and take advantage of many things. It just amazes me of how he evolved into this type of person. Sure, with his abusive father being Jewish, him constantly getting spoiled by his mother, and having fought in WWI while winning multiple awards for bravery including and the Iron Cross does play a part in this. However, putting all of that aside, just think of how a boy who constantly failed at everything he did growing up would evolve into an evil and powerful leader that would be recorded in history books for centuries and centuries to come. That is what really intrigues me. 

Me after learning more in depth about Hitler and the Holocaust