Naqib Mazumber (Y10): How we learn from history so as not to repeat it 

However, this theme of a brutal dictator being elected-in was not unique. Many dictators in history have been elected by their own population. But why? Why would a country’s people vote against themselves? Well, in GCSE History, we also study the methods that Hitler used in order to get into power; such as through propaganda, his private armies, and capitalising on opportunities - such as when their parliament building was set on fire during the Reichstag Fire.

After that, we discuss how the Nazi regime treated different groups, and marginalised large portions of the population; such as Jewish people, certain Christians, women, children, and more. We learn about how their lives were affected by the Nazi takeover, and we can see just how horrible their lives were - especially compared to their previous life in the Weimar Republic before Nazi Germany.

But why am I (and by extension the school) teaching you about Nazi Germany? Well, as I said before, history does repeat itself. You may have thought that dictators stopped existing after the Second World War. They have in fact not, and many oppressive, authoritarian dictators still exist today, making their people suffer. Many politicians worldwide in several countries also openly praise Hitler, or even go as far as to preach the same things he did. As History students, we can identify these Hitlers-in-the-making and learn to call them out, or recognise that they are trying to go down the same path as Nazi Germany, and that this is not good for us, or anyone. So, why don’t we not elect another Adolf Hitler and let us elect our leaders as people who actually care for us and don’t want to use us for their own gain. 

Humanities Prefect - Naqib Mazumder Y10