HIEU 148 Diablo Valley College First World War Essay

This week we will talk about the First World War and its aftermath, which led to a deep crisis of democracy in Europe and in many non-European societies. As you think about the lectures and readings, please answer the following two questions:

1. In his article “Hitler’s American Model”,  scholar James Whitman argues that Hitler and the Nazis found inspiration in the American racial laws of the early 20th century. After you read the article, look at the Nuremberg Race Laws primary source issued in Nazi Germany in 1935.  According to Whitman, which of the articles (or roughly, sections) in this document did the Nazis adopt (and subsequently adjust) from the American racial laws?

2. In Christina Stetler’s article, you will get a sense of how the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic impacted the residents of Philadelphia. Despite the fact that the global conflict facilitated the spread of the disease, this influenza pandemic is not widely remembered or written about as part of the WWI global memory. Based on the information from the article, what would be some of the possible reasons for that?

Please post your reflection on these questions and reply to at least one of your peers’ posts. Your main post is due by the end of the day on Saturday and the reply by the end of the day on Sunday each week. See further instructions in the syllabus.

In order to receive an A-level grade, please make sure your peer response is as engaging and substantive as your main post. Your posts/replies should be constructive and respectful. Make sure you address all questions in your peer reply unless stated otherwise.