It could never happen here. "Never again," was a phrase that author Douglas V. Porpora said over and over again in his book, How Holocausts Happen: The United States in Central America. By title of the book, stands a strong implication that history repeats itself. Porpora's book tells the historical background that led to the genocide of 6 million Jews. He examines people and their societal behaviors and reveals the shocking truth that a Holocaust can happen today, unless people take a much more active role in the decision-making of their governments. TS: German attitudes toward Hitler's decision-making are no different than the U.S. military decision-maki

Americans claim that they simply didn't know what happened in Central America. "We must put our ideas, our values, and our goals to the test. We must constantly examine our lives. . . . Make no mistake. The path of critical reflection is a dangerous one. We risk losing our illusions, in many of which we are strongly invested. . . . that is a painful truth to face." I believe this is precisely what happened. American people simply could not accept that a great democratic country such as ours could ever be involved in a movement that involved the massacre of innocent people. Yet we were involved. (198) We must all "assume responsibility for our own beliefs and to summon the courage and effort necessary to test them." (201)

This analysis will provide evidence that the common everyday citizen of this country is just as capable of allowing a holocaust-like event as any other nation. In Central America, the U.S. not only allowed atrocities to happen, our country provided training to the Contras and then even worse, we distributed weapons and ammunition to them. Isn't that involvement? The American government has always been concerned about the bottom dollar. We have the technology, and other resources available, for a price, even weapons to exterminate villages and nations.

ng that takes place today. American people accept that our leaders are making decisions for the public good.

In accounting for genocide, Helen Fein demonstrates that the majority of Jews escaped deportation in all German-occupied countries where prominent church leaders publicly protested the occupied government's collaboration with the Nazis." (32) In other words, if we speak up and take notice of what our government is doing, we can prevent atrocities such as in Central America, Vietnam, the Honduras, and even presently today, in Kosovo.

The German people were unaware of the military actions to some degree. But as people began to disappear, they should have suspected that there was some wrongdoing involved. Hitler's methods, as inhumane as they were, did not motivate the German people to give him opposition. This can be compared to our own country, where we have two former Presidents, Nixon and Reagan. Each had their own cover-ups. Nixon was the Watergate incident that eventually led to his voluntary resignation from office to avoid impeachment. Our own American President Nixon was heavily involved in criminal activities along with leading members of his administration. And what about Ronald Reagan, the actor-President who instantly won the support and love of the American people? President Ronald Reagan portrayed a concept of morality, traditional values, and faith in God. Yet, he was directly involved in sales of weapons to the Contras in Central America, a huge expenditure which Congress id not ever approve. Indirectly, American massacred thousands of innocent people in Central America by the actions of President Reagan and his leadership. Hitler wasn't alone, was he? He was in the company of world leaders all over the globe. The only difference was, his wasn't a cover up. His atrocities eventually became public. And the world continued to stand by, and did absolutely nothing.

In 1919, Germany was in severe turmoil. Food and fuel shortages led to protests and violence, and high unemployment. (44) There was a multitude of battles within Germany, leaving thousands dead. This situation caused an anti-Communist sentiment among the Germans. The Treaty of Versailles was significant to German History. The SPD, the most powerful political entity to Germany, would assure power through this Treaty. Germany was ordered to not only return land to the countries of Belgium, Poland, Denmark and France, but also turning over their military equipment to their Allies. This resulted in basic disarmament. Capitalist Jews were blamed for Germany's economic collapse. (48)

"Genocide is an act an entire society

Some common words found in the essay are:
Central America, World War, President Reagan, Depression Hitler's, SPD Marxist, Nazification Germany, Americans Massacre, Vietnam American, Massacre American, , central america, american people, german people, world war, lai massacre, history repeat, president reagan, atrocities committed, porpora's book, responsibility actions,
Approximate Word count = 2961
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)