Dictator’s Manipulation’s Of Youth Essay, Research Paper

Dictators? Manipulation of Youth

Dan Casey

Influencing people at a young age is one tactic used by Hitler in Nazi Germany and by Big Brother in 1984 to keep the future of their nations devoted. This tactic is made evident in Nazi Germany and in 1984 by the youth organizations set up by both dictators?. These organizations make their youth feel like they are involved. Both Hitler and Big Brother have ways to brainwash the youth into following. The Spies in 1984 and the Hitler Youth in Nazi Germany grow up living the way that their dictator had set up and for the rest of their lives they will be faithful and devoted; it?s the only way that they know. These tactics are especially cruel because the youth have no way of knowing what?s going to happen, it just seems like the right thing to do at the time. The reason Hitler and Big Brother?s manipulation of the youth is so intriguing is because it is purely elementary.

From the time that children are born they look up to older kids so it?s not surprising when the youth of a nation looked to their elders to gain direction. In Nazi Germany Hitler was emerging as the dominant figure so naturally the youth looked up and wanted to be a part of his organizations. The Hitler Youth was a well-run organization built on discipline and loyalty. After the children were enrolled in the Hitler Youth, members were given a uniform, which may have been their first. Immediately they respond with a feeling of importance; they are now associated with Hitler and the Nazi Party, the most influential group in all of Germany. ?They were children, thirteen and fourteen years old, tiny undernourished boys who remembered no other government than his and who still trusted and believed.? As the group grew larger, it became more prestigious and powerful. The same is true for the Spies in 1984. These children?s whole lives are directed towards remaining loyal to Big Brother. Their elders worship him and the children follow. As soon as they put on the blue shorts, grey shirt and red hanker chief of the Spies it gives them a feeling of importance in the society they are living in; this is similar to Nazi Germany. At the time, the children think they are doing the right thing, but eventually they will be so brainwashed by Big Brother that they will no longer be able to think for themselves, whether his decisions are positive or negative will no longer matter. Big Brother will have complete control over their actions, so much that they will turn in their own family if a crime has been committed. This is all apart of these two dictator?s plans of complete control.

The plan used by Hitler and Big Brother is very simple and precise in the long run. They will gradually condition the population to worship their leader and give him complete and unquestioned authority. But, at the time that this is being carried out, the youth?s have no way of knowing what will end up happening. Hitler and Big Brother?s youth organizations seem to the children as a fun thing, the way that we look at Scouts or Guides. This is the way the dictators want it. The youth?s will do work for them and help keep the nation in order. At the same time they are being manipulated into thinking that their dictator is a god and his word is the only thing that matters. They become so loyal that they will go to great lengths to satisfy their dictator. In 1984, Parson?s daughter turns in her own father because she heard him mumbling in his sleep ?down with Big Brother?; and this was a thought crime in 1984. The idea of a child turning in her own father, to be killed, is unimaginable in our world today. That just shows how much control over the children Big Brother has. Much of this control was due to the fear of room 101. Big Brother used force whenever it was necessary so that people would follow him. ?What happens here is for ever? , refers to the process he put people through who did not think the same way that he did. He tortured them, not as punishment, but so they would completely change their way of thinking. Hitler had the same kind of control in Nazi Germany; he persecuted Jews and other minorities. Children would often turn in some of their Jewish friends, even though they knew that their friends would be sent away. Often families would hide Jews, but they knew full well that if they were caught, then they too would be taken away. The fear Hitler?s ruthlessness instilled in people was the driving force behind this system. People would turn in Jews, even if was against their morals. The difference between Hitler?s control over the youth and Big Brother?s, was that Hitler had less time. Therefore he was unable to carry out his plan completely. His idea of manipulating the youth into thinking in his manner would have worked, had he been in power long enough to see them grow old. Where as Big Brother?s plan has been in effect for many years, and has had time to be proven effective. When a dictator?s plan of youth manipulation is effective, the people of his nation will remain loyal and committed.

Introducing the youth to the ways of their dictator at a young age insures that they will remain committed and loyal for the remainder of their lives. When children grow up learning the ways of Hitler?s Nazi party, the chances are their political ideology will remain stable and committed for the rest of their lives. This is similar to the world today. When someone is born, they are a certain religion. Very infrequently will a person ever alter that. Anyone who did decide they no longer wished to follow Hitler or Big Brother would not speak out and cause a major uprising because these two dictators? were feared so much, they were ruthless. Hitler?s appointed ?new State President of Wurttemberg, Wilhelm Murr, staged a massive victory demonstration on 15 March, at which he made clear the facts of life in Nazi Germany ?The government will brutally beat down all who oppose it. We do not say an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. No, he who knock out one of our eyes will get his head chopped off, and he who knocks out one of or teeth will get his jaw bashed in.?? . Hitler and Big Brother?s ruthlessness was the largest reason why they are so respected, people feared them, and therefore would not question their authority.

Influencing people at a young age is one tactic used by dictators? to keep the future of their nations devoted. Hitler?s Nazi Germany is a real life example of this and a fiction example is Big Brother in the story 1984. Both of these dictators? used youth groups as a method of keeping their population devoted. These youth organizations made the children feel like they were apart of the dictating party, when actually they were worthless pawns. They grew up living the way either Hitler of Big Brother had designed, and for the rest of their lives they will remain loyal to their dictator. These tactics are cruel because the youth have no way of knowing what is happening. Hitler and Big Brother?s manipulation of the youth is so intriguing because it is purely elementary.

Bibliography

Heck, Alfons. ?A Child of Hitler? Bantam Books, New York, 1986.

Howarth, Tony. ?Twentieth Century History: the world since 1900? Longman, London, 1979.

Orwell, George. ?Nineteen Eighty-Four? Martin Secker & Warburg, 1949.

Smith, Gene. ?The Horns of the Moon? Dell, New York, 1973.