[Sans-Culotte]

I’ve read several books on the rise of the Nazis, and I still can’t quite wrap my mind around how the Germans let Satan and his minions lead them all to hell.

[Campion]

I think it had something to do with:

• A nation with memories of greatness, but currently in trouble on many fronts
• A charismatic leader who makes speeches telling people what they want to hear, and promising to wreak havoc on the parties responsible for their troubles
• A largely adoring and uncritical news media
• A populace, especially the youth, not educated to appreciate and defend freedom, and willing to be led

Any of this sound familiar?

The was one critical difference between Germany and some other cases. The Weimar constitution explicitly allowed the Reichstag to pass unconstitutional laws to address situations of national emergency. Pretty big escape clause for a dictator to walk through.