Informational Text
Magazine Articles
Primary and Secondary sources
“The Most Dangerous Book in the
World”
1. [d] “my struggle.”
2. [a] when Hitler was serving time
in prison for treason.
3. [b] He was appointed by
Germany’s president.
4. [c] its copyright has expired,
allowing it to be published in
Germany for the first time in 70
years.
5. [c] “He also argued that Germans
needed enough land . . .”
6. [d] How heavily was Mein Kampf
edited before it was first
published in 1925?
7. [b] It was used by the Nazi Party
to spread the party’s views.
8. 8. [b] “Free copies were handed
out to newly married couples and
to soldiers.”
9. Why did Bavaria not allow publication of
Mein Kampf?
10. In the article, historian David G. Marwell
says that “barring access to such material [as
Mein Kampf] only makes it more attractive.”
What do you think he means? Do you agree
with his view? Why or why not?
‘Astonishing Sway’
By the mid-1930s, Adolf Hitler had become the dictator
of Germany, outlawed all political parties except the
Nazis, and instituted laws stripping Jews of their political
rights. The world began to take notice. In the memo
below, diplomats at the British embassy in Berlin
describe for their government back in London the
personal traits they’d observed in Hitler. Read the memo
along with the Upfront article about Hitler’s
inflammatory book and fast rise to power. Then answer
the questions that follow.
‘Astonishing Sway’ Team Activity
• A ----- Clarifier reads the margin text that
clarifies the bold print
• B ----- Reader for title and paragraph 1
• C ----- Reader for paragraph 2
• D----- Reader for paragraph 3
• All team members respond to answers in their
R/W Hb as the questions are discussed.
Aphorism
“His speeches are practically repetitions of a few
simple main theses, in the course of which
platitudes (a statement, especially one with a
moral content, that has been used too often to be
interesting or thoughtful) are uttered with such
extraordinary emphasis that an unsophisticated
audience mistakes them for newly minted political
aphorisms.”
An aphorism is a witty saying (truth) about life.
See list at your table for examples.
Questions:
1. Does it surprise you to see Hitler described as someone who is “only
at ease among his intimates”? Why or why not? (Some students may
not be surprised to read that Hitler had only a close-knit circle, since
sharing all of his plans with a broader group could have caused those
plans to fall apart. Others may be surprised that Hitler wasn’t more
outgoing, since he seemed to seek attention by speaking publicly,
writing a book, etc.)
2. To what do the memo writers attribute Hitler’s ability to sway an
audience? (The writers say that German audiences have low
expectations and that Hitler sways audiences with repetition and
emphasis. By calling Hitler “demagogic,” the writers also suggest that
Hitler appeals to emotions and prejudices instead of logic or reason.)
3. How would you describe the tone of the memo? (The tone of the
memo might be described as straightforward or matter-of-fact.)
4. Based on the memo, do you think government officials in
Britain in 1937 were highly concerned about Hitler? Explain.
(Although it can be argued that the diplomats wouldn’t have
researched Hitler at all if government officials weren’t nervous,
the memo itself gives little indication that officials were highly
concerned about the dictator. The memo focuses on Hitler’s
habits and personality rather than weighing the effects his
leadership might have on Germany or its neighbors.)
5. What does this historical memo add to your understanding of
the Upfront article about Hitler and his inflammatory book,
Mein Kampf? (The Upfront article focuses largely on Hitler’s
dangerous ideas and the impact those ideas had on history. The
historical memo complements the article by showing that while
Hitler had emerged as a charismatic, persuasive dictator by
1937, the world was slow to realize the devastating impact his
ideas and actions would have.)
In your team complete 1 or 2.
1. Explain why the expiration of Mein Kampf’s
copyright worry some people?
Give three reasons with supporting evidence.
2. Explain what historian David G. Marwell means
when he calls the book’s copyright expiration “a
welcome event”?
Give three reasons with supporting evidence.