History can and does repeat itself

For many years I taught German at Tumwater High. Along with language, culture and history were covered, including Hitler and the Third Reich.

One question that always came up was, “How could a man like Hitler come to power?” My answer: “He was elected by the people of Germany, people very much like yourselves.” “His use of deceit, lies, and fear brought him to power.”

Could it happen in America? It just has! We are the German people of the thirties. “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it!”

This story was originally published December 24, 2016 at 6:25 PM with the headline "History can and does repeat itself."