LESSON PLAN 4: PAIRING A PRIMARY & SECONDARY SOURCE
TIMES PAST PAGES 18-21
Lexile level: 1460L
The Most
Dangerous
Book in the
World?
Hitler’s Mein Kampf can now be published
in Germany for the first time in 70 years.
Additional Resources
upfrontmagazine.com
Before Reading
1
List Vocabulary: Share with students
the challenging general and domain-specific
vocabulary for this article. Encourage them to use
context to infer meanings as they read and to later
verify those inferences by consulting a dictionary.
If desired, distribute or project the Word Watch
activity to guide students through this process.
2
ideological
infernal
manifesto
resurgence
treason
vitriolic
Print or project:
• Word Watch (infer word meanings)
• Article Quiz (p. 10 of this Teacher’s Guide)
• ‘Astonishing Sway’ (primary source, also on
p. 13 of this Teacher’s Guide)
Video: The Holocaust
Engage: Draw attention to the title;
discuss what might make people consider
a book “the most dangerous book in the world.”
Analyze the Article
3
Read and Discuss: Ask students to read the Upfront article about Mein Kampf and Hitler’s rise to power.
Review why the article is a secondary source. (It was written by someone who didn’t personally experience or witness
the events.) Then pose these critical-thinking questions:
u Menachem Rosensaft, a son of Holocaust survivors,
6 •
u Contrast the ways the U.S. and Germany handle
expresses concern that making Mein Kampf readily
hateful speech and symbols today. Do you think the
available “gives it a certain credibility and
U.S. should have greater restrictions? (Germany has
legitimacy.” What do you think he means, and do
banned Nazi symbols like the swastika and the salute.
you agree? (Student views will vary. Rosensaft suggests
The U.S. allows such speech and symbols under the First
that allowing the book to sit on store shelves or coffee
Amendment. Students should support their views on how
tables may lessen the horror we associate with its ideas.)
extensive the right to free speech should be.)
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u Mein Kampf has been published in several versions
all of Hitler’s statements, even the most deranged and
and formats. What approach do scholars and
offensive ones, but also includes lengthy annotations and
historians at the Institute of Contemporary History
commentary to put these statements in context and explain
favor? Why? Do you agree with their approach? (The
why they are misguided. They advocate this approach over
scholars and historians at the Institute of Contemporary
censoring or editing because they feel it sheds light on the
History have prepared a version of the book that includes
evils of the Nazis’ beliefs.)
4
Integrate the Primary Source: Project or distribute the
PDF ‘Astonishing Sway’ (p. 13 of this Teacher’s Guide), which features a
memo about Hitler prepared by the British embassy in Berlin in 1937. Discuss
what makes it a primary source. (It was written in 1937 about a person of that
time period.) Have students read it and answer the questions below (which
appear on the PDF without answers).
u Does it surprise you to see Hitler described as
u Based on the memo, do you think government officials
someone who is “only at ease among his intimates”?
in Britain in 1937 were highly concerned about Hitler?
Why or why not? (Responses will vary. Some students may
Explain. (Although it can be argued that the diplomats
not be surprised to read that Hitler had only a close-knit
wouldn’t have researched Hitler at all if government
circle, since sharing all of his plans with a broader group
officials weren’t nervous, the memo itself gives little
could have caused those plans to fall apart. Others may be
indication that officials were highly concerned about
surprised that Hitler wasn’t more outgoing, since he seemed
the dictator. The memo focuses on Hitler’s habits and
to seek attention by speaking publicly, writing a book, etc.)
personality rather than weighing the effects his leadership
might have on Germany or its neighbors.)
u To what do the memo writers attribute Hitler’s ability
to sway an audience? (The writers say that German
u What does this historical memo add to your
audiences have low expectations and that Hitler sways
understanding of the Upfront article about Hitler and
audiences with repetition and emphasis. By calling Hitler
his inflammatory book, Mein Kampf? (The Upfront
“demagogic,” the writers also suggest that Hitler appeals
article focuses largely on Hitler’s dangerous ideas and the
to emotions and prejudices instead of logic or reason.)
impact those ideas had on history. The historical memo
complements the article by showing that while Hitler had
u How would you describe the tone of the memo?
emerged as a charismatic, persuasive dictator by 1937,
(The tone of the memo might be described as
the world was slow to realize the devastating impact his
straightforward or matter-of-fact.)
ideas and actions would have.)
Extend & Assess
5
Writing Prompt
Do you think history would
6
Classroom Debate
Should the annotated version
8
Paired Texts
Pair this Times Past with
have turned out differently if
of Mein Kampf be required reading
Elie Wiesel’s Holocaust-themed
Mein Kampf had never been
in U.S. high schools?
memoir Night. Discuss whether
published? Write a brief essay,
supporting your arguments with
evidence from the article and memo.
7
readers of Mein Kampf in the early
Quiz
1930s could have foreseen the way
Use the quiz on page 10.
Hitler’s hatred of the Jewish people
would later be applied.
Find all activity sheets and other support materials at upfrontmagazine.com
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