Page 72 - Balancing between the present and the past

Chapter 3
example, referred to the geographical size of Germany during the period of the German Empire. Socio-economic knowledge was referenced by 35 students in their reasoning when taking a historical perspective. Kim and Anna, for example, both noted that the economic circumstances in Germany in the 1930s resulted in people being attracted to a strong leader who promised increased economic welfare by creating jobs:
There [in Germany] was much unemployment, and it is all very bad. The country was first doing alright, but at that time, the economic circumstances were poor and people were dissatisfied with this. Because Hitler was a strong leader and the NSDAP would stimulate the economy by creating jobs, Hannes might vote for the NSDAP. (Kim, reasoning about Item 1)
I think that he could vote for the NSDAP because he says that he is desperate. He is close to being unemployed, and I think that the NSDAP tried to create more jobs and they will provide a job for Hannes. They [the NSDAP] promised more jobs, and that might result in Hannes voting for the NSDAP. (Anna, reasoning about Item 1)
All students in the sample displayed socio-political knowledge in their reasoning. For example, Kevin stressed the political statements of the NSDAP to explain why Hannes might vote for such a political party:
Before the Second World War, the NSDAP was known as a very good political party. Hitler promised many things, and many people believed him because they wanted a better future. I do not know if Hitler was already against the Jews, but he promised a lot more jobs. I think that was very clever, and it resulted in many votes for the NSDAP. (Kevin, reasoning about Item 8)
Most students in the sample (n = 28) also displayed socio-cultural knowledge in their reasoning. These students referenced their knowledge about German cultural behaviors and beliefs in the 1930s. For example, Ashley noted that Hannes might have been influenced by the propaganda spread by Hitler and his political party:
Hannes could not see what was really going on in Germany because the German people were getting a very subjective image due to all the Nazi media and propaganda. Therefore, he could not see that the NSDAP wanted a war. (Ashley, reasoning about Item 3)
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