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When I asked Herr Wedekind, the baker, why he had believed…

“When I asked Herr Wedekind, the baker, why he had believed in National Socialism, he said, "Because it promised to solve the unemployment problem. And it did. But I never imagined what it would lead to. Nobody did.” quote by Milton Mayer
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““When I asked Herr Wedekind, the baker, why he had believed in National Socialism, he said, "Because it promised to solve the unemployment problem. And it did. But I never imagined what it would lead to. Nobody did.””

Milton Mayer

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He describes how economic promises attracted support for Nazism, but its horrific outcomes were unforeseen.

In simple terms: Economic promises drew support, later leading to disaster.

Key Takeaway

Beware of solutions that ignore moral costs.

Themes

politics history economics

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

historical analytical

When to use this quote

  • voting
  • policy making
  • public discourse
  • education
  • media consumption

Key Concepts

totalitarianism unemployment ideology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What trade‑offs are you willing to accept for a quick fix?
  • How can societies evaluate long‑term consequences?
A Different Perspective

Solutions may solve one problem while creating greater ones.

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