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Historical context
World War II is considered by many people as the worst global confrontation since time began. The war was started by radical nationalism and individual egos; the very thing Adolf Hitler and the Japanese believed was the root of most problems in the world. The sources in the textbook had similar aggression against westernization. In the first source, Hitler’s Mein Kampf detailed a concept of “survival of the fittest.” The jailed World War I veteran describes a racial war—with his Aryan race as the dominant, prevailing group. His belief that progress could only be made if the dominant people were put into places of power and responsibility coupled with a proposal of fighting to live. Hitler’s strong sense of nationalism and self/Germany-entitlement evoked a passionate following which later led him to German leadership. His specific declaration of Jewish people as the main ailment of the world leads to the greatest genocide in history.
The Japanese were another instigator of World War II as they too developed an aggressive form of nationalism among their people. In the source, Kokutai No Hongi, the Japanese narrate a loss of morality through westernization. The publishing calls for a return to loyalty and morality; by this, they mean the devotion to a Master (Emperor) and Subjects (people). They also detail a history of valuing warriors. Those very ideologies very likely segued to a violent hostility towards anything and anyone “western.” In short, People who might find these drastic writings attractive would be anyone who has a strong sense of nationalism—even racial prejudice. It could be long-standing tradition or upbringing that fueled many people who felt their native culture and land have been corroded and invaded by others. The easiest answer is to blame it on someone else, especially if they are physically different.

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