First They Came For

                               First They Came for

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—

     Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—

     Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

     Because I was not a Jew.

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

Martin Niemöller was a U-boat commander in the First World War and a Protestant minister who initially supported Hitler's rise to power. He was later imprisoned in 1937 for criticizing Hitler and his government. 

1.Who are “they” that Niemöller writes about, as in, “first they came for…”?

The Facists, Hitler's people, The government of the day in Germany 

2. What does it mean when he says, “came for”? Came to take them to concentration camps,.

3. Why does he repeat the phrase, “Then they came for…” several times? To emphasize

4. What effect does the repetition of this phrase have on the listener? Makes the listener focus on that phrase

5. What other groups did the Nazis “come for” before and during the 2nd WW?

Gypsies, Polish priests, Russian solders, Socialists, communists, Mental and physical challenges, Jews, Slavs, 

6. The narrator of Niemöller’s poem is obviously himself. But the narrator is also somebody else. Who? YOU, THE READER

7. What does he mean by, “I didn’t speak up”? What are some ways he could have “spoken up”? Stating your opinion, Participating in Pride Parade, BLM. Protests, Going to people who can help change things. 

8.  "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Do you think this quote is accurate? Explain

9. Margret Mead spent her life studying cultures and how people relate. She said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Do you think a few people can change the World? Defend your answer.