Demagoguery in History: A Brief Primer

Given the flood of xenophobic rhetoric from GOP candidates recently, it might be a good idea to get some historical perspective. November is the month of “Kristallnacht” of 1938, so why not start there…

Donald Trump (November, 2015)

“The United States has no choice but to close down Mosques where some bad things are happening.”

“We should consider registering all Muslims in the United States to register in a database… I would implement that immediately… absolutely.”

Nazi Declaration of Nov. 9, 1938 

“All Synagogues shall be closed permanently as the centers of anti-government plots and conspiracies …”

Nazi Declaration of Jan. 1, 1939

“All Jews shall register with the state and obtain identification cards to be carried at all times … No Jew will be permitted to change their name to disguise their identity as a Jew.”

Ben Carson (October, 2015)

“I guess it depends on what that faith is,” he said. “If it’s inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter. But if it fits within the realm of America and consistent with the Constitution, no problem.”

Asked whether he thinks Islam is consistent with the Constitution, Carson said: “No, I don’t, I do not.”

Nazi “Restoration of the Professional Civil Service” April, 1933

“Jews are politically unreliable to hold governmental and political office and are forthwith banned from holding all civil service offices.”