Could the Amygdala, a part of the human brain, somehow be a biological link between behaviors involving bullying, anger and genocide?

Teenage anger linked to brains: "Boys who had large amygdalas spent more time behaving in an aggressive way. . . . "

This advanced article explains how the amygdala drives bullies (who usually have very low self-esteem) into action.

Syndrome E may be an explanation about how Nazis behaved as they did during the Holocaust. This syndrome occurs when the amygdala "shut offs" and this stops its ability to regulate emotion. The process allows persecutors to dehumanize their victims. When persecutors begin to see people as targets and not as human beings, it makes violence easier.

Holocaust Interactive Map

Countries to know and be able to identify by Tuesday, March 11, 2008:

1. Germany
2. Austria
3. Czechoslovakia
4. Poland
5. Soviet Union (Russia)
6. France
7. Denmark
8. Netherlands
9. Norway
   
10. Romania
11. Croatia
12. Ukraine
13. Belgium
14. The United Kingdom
    

Examine how the toxic fervor of Nazism spread throughout the Continent of Europe.

Genocide; persecutors become blind to humanity

Does the Nazi soldier see people?
Could a brain malfunction begin to justify this horror?

Vocabulary

V = VICTIM
P = PERSECUTOR
H = HERO
B = BYSTANDER

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Antisemitism

Genocide

Holocaust

Nazi

Scapegoat

Enabling Act
-Enabling Act Text

Schutzstaffel (SS)--German for "Protective Squadron"

Eugenics

Fuhrer

Kristallnacht
-The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
-Middle Tennessee State University

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Click here to map the Holocaust.

Hitler Youth

In 1935, 60% of Germany's Children were involved in Hitler Youth

Abandoned in Germany at the age of five this English boy joined the Hitler Youth, helping attack Jews. Only when he came to Britain did he confront his guilt - and discover his mother's was even greater.

Persecutor, Victim, Bystander & Hero

First They Came for the Jews

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

What can you do to prevent genocide from happening?

Voices on Genocide Prevention

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