The Wave: America's Infamous High School Experiment in Fascism

In spring 1967, in Palo Alto, California, high school history teacher Ron Jones conducted a social experiment in fascism with his class of 10th-grade 15-year-olds, meant to sample the experience of the attraction and rise of the Nazis in Germany before World War II. In a matter of days the experiment began to spin out of control, as the students and he became caught up in the excitement, confusion and chaos. This story has attracted considerable attention over the years through films, books, plays and even musicals. It serves as a teaching tool, used in schools worldwide, to facilitate discussion of the elements, appeal and dangers of extremism. Learn more at www.thewavehome.com and at www.lessonplanmovie.com about this story.
Mark Hancock was a student in the original Wave class, and is now the historian for the story. Mark is Associate Producer and appears in both award-winning documentaries about The Wave, "Lesson Plan" and "The Invisible Line." Mark is a graduate of the Yad Vashem International Seminar for Educators summer program, and has spoken in the media and at film festivals and Wave theater productions in several countries. He is currently a PhD Candidate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Gratz College, focusing on the rise of extremism; and holds a Master's in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University. Learn more at www.markhancock.com about Mark's activities.

[@JadeValour]

And now we’re looking at the same kind of thing is happening. This film should be shown in schools NOW!

[@lisagoldsmith3033]

Thank you Mark Hancock for sharing this great topic, about the Ron Jones experiment "The Wave" ("The Third Wave" originally) at Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, California, in 1967. Cool that you were a student in the original Wave class, and can share that perspective.

[@SnepBlepVR]

Im a transperson,i dont see it from the side of the jewish perspective but im afraid for my life. one thing i wish was taught more about the holocaust, is the prefinal solution genocide of LGBTQIA individuals before WW2. Thank you for giving the Jewish Perspective. But please Please Make it Clear that Jewish Peopl Where Not the Only Ones Who Suffered Genocide. And Are Not the Only Ones Facing it Right Now.

[@scrumbfunk]

Hi friend, greetings Canada. Just wanted to say I see you. I'm cishet myself, but been following the horrifying spread of the GC rot for years, and fighting against it every day. I'll never stop. There's been major pushback against the Genocide word in recent times, with people laughing and downplaying the threat and minimizing what every trans person in North America is experiencing every day. The gaslight is very real, and super intense. Next time you bump into one of those people, I hope you'll remember my words instead ❤
(ps. The word 'Genocide' was coined by Raphael Lemkin. The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention recently put out a statement about the GC movement. Google "Lemkin Gender Critical" if you haven't seen it already.)