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The Wave is based on the real experience of a highschool class in Palo Alto, CA (USA), in April 1967.
History teacher Ron James attempted to teach his pupils the realities of fascism by encouraging them to form a kind of classroom Hitler Youth.
This story is based on the real experience of a high school class in Palo Alto, California, in April, 1967.
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Yes I remember The Wave. It was one of the most frightening classroom experiences I've ever had. It all started when we were studying Nazi Germany.
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The people selected for extermination by the Nazis were herded into concentration camps located all over eastern Europe. The life expectancy of prisoners in the camps was only 270 days. They were worked, starved, tortured, and when they couldn't work anymore they were exterminated in gas chambers and their remains where disposed of in ovens. In all, the Nazis exterminated over 10 million men, women and children in these concentration camps.
What you just saw took part in Germany in 1934 to 1945. The situation grew out of the aftermath of World War One. Now Germany had been defeated, leadership was at low ebb, inflation was high, and thousands where homeless, hungry, jobless. And Hitler took advantage of the situation to establish himself and his third Reich. We all know the rest camps, killings... What resulted was the most efficient death machinery ever devised.
Robert, please excuse us for boring you.
Amy.
Were all Germans Nazis?
No, as a matter of fact less than 10% of the German population belonged to the Nazi party.
Then how come nobody tried to stop them?
They said they didn't know what was happening.
Eric.
How could you kill 10 million people without somebody noticing?
Yeah, that can't be true.
Well after the war the Germans claimed they knew nothing of the concentration camps or the killings.
Erick's right. How could the Germans sit back while the Nazis slaughtered people all around them and say that they didn't know anything about it? How could they do that? How could they say that?
That was a very good question Lorry.
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That film really got to you huh?
Yeah, it upset me. Doesn't it make you angry?
Lorry it was a long time ago. We can't change what happened.
I know. It still upsets me though.
Hi guys is it ok if we park or is this table for lovers only?
Not if we're sitting here.
That's for sure.
Ha-ha.
Have a seat.
Hey Davey who's going to win the big game on Friday huh?
We better, coach has been working our tails off we'll kill them.
Would you forget about football? How about going to a dance? My church is having one tonight.
Sounds great, Amy, but David and I have to study.
You know, if you two don't stop acting like hermits you're going to end up like Robert over there.
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Hi.
Hi darling, what's up?
Missed you at your faculty meeting.
What time is it?
Oh it's ok I covered for you.
I know, thanks.
What are you reading that's so fascinating here?
There's some terrific stuff here...
Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Hitler? What are you, grabbing for a degree in dictatorship?
Yeah well, one of my students asked me a question I couldn't answer today.
Hmmm... Welcome to the club.
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Now today I'm going to talk to you about discipline.
Oh wait now hear me out, now this could be exciting.
Oh sure.
Oh sure? Now I'm talking to you about power. Power through discipline. Success. Success through discipline. Nobody here wants a taste of power and success?
Sure.
Well, here we go. David, Erick you play football. You know that it takes discipline to win. What about ballet dancers. Andrea? You know it takes long, hard hours of work for them to develop their skills. Same goes with painters working at their craft, scientists. It is all discipline, control, the strength of the will. Now there's something we can do to experience power through discipline right now. Shall we try? It begins with posture.
Amy, come forward please.
Teacher's pet.
The proper seating posture will help the concentration. Strengthen the will!
Boy, this is stupid.
First, put your feet flat on the floor.
Is this history or did I come to P.E by mistake?
Now, place your hands flat across the small of your back and force your spine straight up. Can't you breathe more easily?
Relax. Now resume the proper position. And relax.
Again.
Everybody look how Roberts's legs are parallel. His ankles locked, his knees bent at ninety degrees. See how straight his spine is. Chin back, head forward. Very good, Robert.
Now I want you all to get up and walk about the room and when I give the command I want you to return to your seats as quickly as possible and assume the proper sitting posture.
Come on on, up, up, up, up, up!
Take your seat!
No.
Now, let's try it again. Now, the quieter and more controlled you are, the quicker you'll be able to reach your seats properly.
Excellent. Half the time.
Now, there are three more rules which you must obey.
One. Everybody must have pencils and note paper for note-taking.
Two. When asking or answering a question you must stand at the side of your seats.
And three. The first words when answering or asking a question are "Mr Ross". Alright?
Brad. Who was the British prime minister before Winston Churchill?
Um wasn't it the...
You weren't listening. Remember, discipline.
Robert, show Brad the proper procedure for asking a question.
Mr Ross.
That's correct. Thank you, Robert. Again, Brad.
Mr Ross, wasn't it the um prime minister...
No, too slow. Much too slow. From now on, your answers are to be as short as possible. Now sit down and try it again.
Mr Ross, Chamberlain.
Now that's the way to answer a question. Punctual, precise. What country did Hitler invade in September of 1939, Andrea.
Mr Ross, I don't know.
Still a good response, Andrea. Amy.
Mr Ross, Poland.
Excellent.
What was the name of Hitler's political party?
Mr Ross, the Nazis.
Good, Brian. Very quick. That was the short name what was the official name, Lorry.
The National S-
Sit down and do it again.
Mr Ross, The National Socialist German Workers Party.
Correct. Peter, who proposed the Lend Lease Act?
Mr Ross, Roosevelt.
Right. Who died in the death camps?
Mr Ross, Jews, gypsies and homosexuals.
Who ran the death camps?
Mr Ross, the SS.
Excellent.
Tomorrow's assignment is on the board. Class dismissed.
Man, what a rush, huh?
Too bad all my classes aren't like that.
Sure beats taking notes.
That's for sure.
Hey anybody that can get this class to get it together like that is a genius.
Did you ever see anything like that? I was really getting into it.
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I can't believe how quickly they accepted that new behaviour code. I mean, everyone did it immediately. It was eerie.
Honey, they reacted that way because they were playing a game.
I don't think so.
Well how else would you explain it?
I don't know. It's as if they wanted to be disciplined.
So are you going on with it tomorrow?
No I don't think so. I've got the whole Japanese campaign tomorrow.
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Well, look at you. What are you feeling?
Discipline.
No. Discipline is one thing. But there's something more.
It's community.
Now community, is that bond between people who work and struggle together. It's building a barn with your neighbour. It's feeling that you are a part of something that's more important than yourself. A movement, a team, a cause, and like discipline, to fully understand community, you have to experience it and participate in it. Now, everyone repeat our two mottos.
Strength through discipline. Strength through community.
Now, we need a symbol for our new community. Something for members of this classroom only.
A wave. It's a pattern of change. It has movement, direction and impact. And from now on we will be known as, the wave. And this will be our salute.
Robert, what is our motto?
Mr Ross, strength through discipline, strength through community.
Very good, Robert. Remain standing, please. Now Peter, Amy, Erick.
Strength through discipline, strength through community.
Now Brian, Andrea, Lorry. Join them and repeat.
Strength through discipline, strength through community.
Louder!
Strength through discipline, strength through community.
Strength through discipline, strength through community.
Strength through discipline, strength through community.
Louder!!
Strength through discipline, strength through community!
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It was incredible. Everyone was saluting and repeating the motto. You couldn't help but get caught up in it. You know, really wanting to make it work.
Well I don't like it, Lorry. It sounds too much like brainwashing and mob psychology to me.
No mom it's nothing like that, honest. You just have to be there to feel the positive energy in class to really get what's going on.
I am for whatever will make kids pay attention to anything these days.
And it's really what it's doing, even Robert Walkins, you know, the class creep? He's even part of the group now.
But you're supposed to be learning history not how to be part of a group.
This country was built by people who were part of a group - the Pilgrims, the Founding Fathers.
Yes, but it owes its greatness to those people who weren't afraid to be individuals.
Stop worrying, mom. Mr Ross has just found a really great way to get everybody to learn something. Even the slow kids are keeping up.
That's all very well and good for the slow kids but it just doesn't sound like the right thing for you, Lorry. Sweetheart, we raised you to be an individual.
Midge, don't you think your taking all this a little too seriously? A little bit of community spirit is terrific for those kids.
That's right, mom. Haven't you always said I was a little bit too independent?
Honey, just remember that the popular thing is not always the right thing.
Mom, you don't understand.
I'm sure that Lorry's history teacher knows exactly what he's doing. Besides, as long as the other parents aren't raising any objection why should we make a fuss?
Because it is dangerous to allow a teacher to manipulate students like that. We've always taught Lorry to think for herself.
And a few days of experiment by a history teacher isn't going to change that.
Mom, Mr Ross is one of my best teachers. He knows what he's doing.
Where is David tonight isn't he coming over?
No he's at home studying for tomorrow's history assignment.
David? Studying? Now there's something to worry about.
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So how's that class experiment going, Doctor Frankenstein? Have they turned on you yet?
Quite the contrary. Most of them are actually turning into human beings.
You don't say.
And you wouldn't believe the homework assignments. They do what I give them and then they do more, they're asking all kinds of questions.
This can't be some of the same kids I have for music.
It's amazing how much more they like you when you make decisions for them.
How far can you push this?
I don't know, but I intend to find out.
Why don't you sit down, your food is going to get cold.
You know, the funny thing is I feel myself getting caught up in it. It's contagious.
You can be a guinea pig in your own experiment, huh?
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What do you care what your mom says?
I didn't say I agreed with her.
Yeah well you didn't say that you disagreed with her either.
Listen, I was just telling you what she said.
How does she know? She can't possibly understand what the wave is about unless she's been here to see it work. Parents always think they know everything.
Who was that?
I don't know. He's not in our history class.
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Now, you all have membership cards. If you turn them over, you will find that some of them have been marked with a red X. You got a red X, you are to be monitors and will report directly to me any members who don't obey our rules. Discipline and community are meaningless without action. Now discipline gives you the right to action. A disciplined group with a goal can take action like a well-oiled machine. Now through hard work and allegiance to each other, you will learn faster and accomplish more, but only if you support one another and only if you work together and obey the rules can you ensure the success of the wave.
Now you are all to actively recruit new members. Each new member must demonstrate knowledge of our rules and pledge strict obedience to them.
Mr Ross, for the first time I feel like I'm part of something great.
Mr Ross, this is like being born again.
Mr Ross, I feel the same way.
Mr Ross I'm proud of the wave.
Strength through discipline. Strength through community. Strength through action.
Strength through discipline. Strength through community. Strength through action.
Strength through discipline. Strength through community. Strength through action.
Strength through discipline. Strength through community. Strength through action.
Strength through discipline. Strength through community. Strength through action.
Strength through discipline. Strength through community. Strength through action.
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I'm not going.
Why not?
Because I don't want to.
Lorry this is a very important meeting. All the new members are going to be there.
So what? David, don't you think that you're taking this whole thing a little too seriously?
No I'm not. You're not taking it seriously enough! Lorry you have always been a leader, the other kids they've always looked up to you. You've got to be at that meeting.
That's exactly why I'm not going. Let them make up their own minds about the wave. They're individuals.
I don't understand.
I can't believe how crazy everybody's gotten. David, the wave is taking over everything.
Sure, because the wave makes sense Lorry, it works. Everybody's on the same team, everybody's equal.
Oh, that's terrific. Do we all score a touch down?
You know you're just against this because you're not special anymore. Because you're not the best student in the class now.
That's not true and you know it.
I think it is true. Now you know how the rest of us felt listening to you and Amy always giving the right answers.
David, you're being stupid.
Alright. If I'm so stupid, why don't you go find yourself a smart boyfriend.
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Here's a pamphlet, read all about the wave.
Here you go.
Robert, what are you doing?
Mr Ross, I'm your bodyguard.
You're my what?
I want to be your bodyguard. You see, Mr Ross, for the first time in my life I feel... Well nobody makes jokes about me anymore. I'm part of something special. I just don't want anything to ever happen to you. Mr Ross, please let me be your bodyguard.
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Strength through discipline. Strength through community. Strength through action.
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Amy read this article that I wrote.
But what are you going to do with it?
I'm submitting it to the school paper.
You can't say these things about the wave.
Well why not? They're true. Amy, the wave has become an obssession with everyone. No one's thinking for themselves anymore.
Come on, you're just upset. You're letting your argument with David get to you.
But the wave is hurting people. Everyone's going along with it like a flock of sheep.
Lorry please don't submit this.
I already have. And I know what I have to do.
I've got to go.
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Mr Ross, can I follow you home?
No thank you, Robert, that won't be necessary. Don't you have homework?
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Honey, I need to talk to you for a moment.
Can't it wait? I've got to finish this before class tomorrow.
Well that's what I want to talk to you about. This wave thing, it's just becoming too disruptive. You've got to put an end to it.
I see.
Half of my class has been skipping just to go to yours. I mean, you've disrupted the entire school and it isn't just me, all the teachers are complaining.
Well they just don't know what I'm trying to do.
Did you know that the school counsellors have been questioning every student in your class? I mean even the Principal is concerned about this now.
Well don't you think I know that? I know what they're saying about me, that I'm crazy with power, that I'm on an ego trip.
Have you ever thought that they may be right? I mean think of your original goals here, are they the same ones you have now?
I thought you were on my side.
I am on your side but I have seen you these last few days and I don't even know you. You have become so involved in playing this role at school that you've started flipping into it at home. Honey, just turn it off!
Not yet.
When?! After you or some of these kids do something you will all regret?
Well I can't stop now, they'll be left hanging. They'd be confused they wouldn't have learnt a thing.
Well let them be confused.
No I can't do that! Now I'm a teacher, I have responsibilities to them, I have to push them until they get the point! I'm teaching these kids the most important lesson of their lives.
Well I hope the principal agrees with you because he just called and he wants to see you right after class tomorrow.
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These are all lies. She can't be allowed to say these things.
It's not important. Nobody cares what Lorry's writing or what she has to say.
But anybody who reads this will get the wrong idea about the wave.
And this is the second article she's written.
Relax. There's always going to be people who won't believe in what we're trying to do.
But if we don't watch out those people are going to ruin it for the rest of us.
Lorry Saunders is a threat. She must be stopped.
Don't worry. David and I will take care of it.
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Hey, here she comes.
Let me take care of this, okay?
Okay as long as she understands how important this is. We're not playing any of her games anymore, you know?
Hey Lorry, wait up. I've got to talk to you its really important. Its okay, nobody else is coming.
Well I'm not used to seeing you by yourself anymore. Where are your troops?
Look, Lorry will you just listen to me for a minute please?
David, we said everything we had to say to each other the other day now I don't want to rehash it so just leave me alone.
Lorry you got to stop writing that stuff against the wave, you're causing all kinds of problems.
The wave is causing the problems, David!
It is not. Look, Lorry we want you with us. Not against us.
Well, count me out. I told you, I quit. This is not a game anymore people are beginning to get hurt.
Alright, so a few people are getting hurt along the way but its for the good of the whole. Why can't you see that? Look it's a new system we can make it work.
Not with me you can't.
Let go of me.
Look Lorry you've got to stop.
David let go of my arm!
Lorry, stop writing those articles and keep your mouth shut about the wave.
I will write and I will say anything that I want to and you can't stop me!
We can and we will.
I hate you! I hate the wave, I hate all of you.
Just slow down!
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It's real important.
Well, come in. Sit down. Can I get you something?
No, thanks. Mr Ross you've got to help us.
What's wrong?
It's the wave.
Mr Ross, we know how important this is to you, it is to all of us. But it's just gone too far.
It's taken over, Mr Ross, there's no room to be yourself or say what you really believe. And all the kids in school are scared, they're really scared not only to say anything against the wave but what might happen to them if they don't go along with it.
Kids are actually spying on each other. Some are even using the wave as an excuse to beat up on other kids.
Yes the Principal told me about that this afternoon.
But it's true. We can't even carry on a conversation without worrying about who's listening to you. We are really scared, Mr Ross.
Lorry and I haven't talked for days because of the wave. And tonight, I lost control and almost hurt her.
You've got to stop this nightmare.
You're right and I will.
What are you going to do, Mr Ross?
Well I'll take care of it tomorrow. I have to do it my way.
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Did you see this?
Mr Ross, can I show you something?
Yes, Robert, what is it?
Mr Ross, what does it mean? It's a secret code isn't it?
The Wave is upon us. Robert, you're right. Class, there's something very important I have to tell you about the wave. At five o'clock, there will be a rally in the auditorium for wave members only. Now the wave is not just a classroom experiment. No, it's much more than that. Across the country, teachers like myself have been recruiting and training a youth brigade to show the rest of the nation how to achieve a better society through discipline, community, action and pride. Now look what we've accomplished in two short weeks in this school alone. If we could change things here, we could change things everywhere. Factories, stores, universities, all the institutions.
Mr Ross! Mr Ross!
Sit down, David.
But Mr Ross you said-
David, please. I said, sit down. Now listen carefully. During the rally a prominent political figure will reveal himself to all of you as our national leader. He will appear on television and he will announce the formation of a nationwide Wave Youth Programme!
Wait, wait, don't listen to him, don't listen to him, he's lying!
Can't you see what he is doing? Can't any of you think for yourselves anymore?
Robert, Eric, Bryan, please escort these two out of the room and see that they stay out.
Amy, please listen to me!They're lies! Don't listen to him, he's lying!
Now, I want every single member of the wave to attend the rally. Each member of this class is personally responsible for a record turn out.
Everybody wear blue shirts!
Bring banners and signs!
Mr Ross, we can do it!
Good.
And make sure that no one but loyal wave members are allowed in.
MR ROSS, YES.
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I really couldn't believe it when my mother told me that Mr Ross called the house. He wants to talk to us.
I know. He tried to reach me too but I've had about all the talking I can take from him.
David, is it possible that I was wrong?
No. No, Lorry you were right. We're both right.
Then why doesn't anybody else see it?
I don't know it's like they're all in a trance or something. They just won't listen anymore.
They've got to listen. David, we've got to make them listen.
I know. I mean, the only thing I can think of is to try to speak at that rally.
It's worth a try.
Come on!
Okay.
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Okay the auditorium is full.
Close the doors.
Guards in place?
Okay, let's check all the doors to make sure they are all locked.
Mr Ross, all the doors are secure and the guards are in place.
Thank you, Robert.
Strength through discipline. Strength through community. Strength through action.
Strength through discipline. Strength through community. Strength through action.
Strength through discipline. Strength through community. Strength through action.
Now in a moment, our national leader will address us. Robert.
Mr. Ross, yes.
Turn on the television sets.
There is no leader, is there?!
Yes, there is! That's your leader!
Now listen carefully. There is no national youth movement. You thought you were so special. Better than everyone outside this room. You traded your freedom for the luxury of feeling superior. You accepted the groups will over your own conviction, no matter who you hurt. Oh you thought you where just going along for the ride, that you could walk away at any moment. But where where you heading? How far would you have gone? Take a look at your future!
Yes you would have all made good Nazis. You would have put on the uniform. Turned your head and allowed your friends and neighbors to be persecuted and destroyed. Fascism isn't something those other people did. It's right here, in all of us. You asked how could the German people do nothing as millions of innocent human beings were murdered. How could they claim they weren't involved? What causes people to deny their own history? Well if history repeats itself, you will all want to deny what has happened to you with The Wave. But if our experiment is successful, you will have learned that we are all responsible for our own actions. And that you must question what you do rather than blindly follow a leader. And that for the rest of your life you will never allow a group's will to usurp your individual rights. I know this has been painful for you. It certainly has for me, but it's a lesson we will all share for the rest of our lives.
This story is based on the real experience of a high school class in Palo Alto, California, in April, 1967.