Students in my War and Holocaust course struggle to understand the Nazi Revolution. How does a party which wins 38% in 1932 move so quickly to a one-party dictatorship? It’s several things:

1. Fear. Am I really prepared to oppose this violent, lawless clique?

2. Opportunism. What can I gain by aligning myself to the movement?

3. Ambiguity. Is there real danger here? Maybe I can ride this out and go back to my life when the clouds pass?