Learning from history; the rise to power of Hitler and the Nazi Party

"Seventy-five years ago today, the last remnants of the Nazi regime unconditionally surrendered to the Allied Powers, marking the end of World War11 in Europe. Today, we celebrate the forces of freedom who defeated tyranny and emerged victorious in that monumental struggle. We pay tribute to those who served for their service and pause to remember those who gave their last full measure in defence of the flames of liberty. More than thirty million lives were lost and tens of millions more were shattered in the war. Most of those who perished were civilians, including six million Jews and millions of others from Poland and the former Soviet Union- Whitehouse"

The lessons of Hitler and the Nazi Party is creating a whole new society that would never let anything like fascism and world war happen again. I have chosen to use this blog post to share my little understanding on how Propaganda and Ideology affects Everyday Life, how tyrants use Ideology and Propaganda to unleash terror and devastate humankind. According to Professor Michael Freeden, "Propaganda persuades us to adopt political beliefs or behaviours that we would not normally embrace" Some of the activities of the Nazi party is replicated in most poor societies despite warning from history. Do you think Ideology and Politics can guarantee freedom. The Nazi also promised abundant society in which the poor would pertake of the riches once enjoyed by the elites, but the result was totalitarian barbarism, terror, profound racism, economic distress and violence, genocidal thrust, war and disaster. The Jews were ostracised and accused of engaging in unfair competition, strangled commercial opportunities and slaughtered. Propaganda and Ideology can be used by Ideological actor to unleash terror and advance a hidden agenda, its left to ordinary people to find out if some ideology lead to doom or boom and real freedom and do something about it. Today, Propaganda is not just tied to authoritarian regimes and technology now enables it. Fear and Terror, profound racism, injustice, oppression are anti progress and development, it should be resisted. The result is misery and discontent. The good news is Western democracy and human rights offers the greatest opportunity for freedom and liberty. In the words of Professor Mat Humphrey; "democracy is a bind for dictators that they cannot escape" People must seek freedom from oppression and the state must guarantee freedom not abuse it. People need to be enlightened and awakened. Everyone a change maker. May God deliver us from the scourge of our time. In the words of Nicola Mandelson, Facebook's VP for Europe, the Middle East and Africa: "We are living through an unprecedented time when it has never been more important to stay connected and stop misinformation and harmful content. People are doing extraordinary things to keep us together. Social connection isn't the cure that will rid us of coronavirus but it will certainly be key in helping us through this" This challenging times offers the greatest opportunity for social change. It's possible to achieve a harmonious society.

Uche Okeke