Conspiracy Theories in HistoryWhy most conspiracies are questionable:

All conspiracy theories are dependent on four extraordinary claims:1. All evidence that would support the conspiracy theory was destroyed /

successfully hidden.2. All evidence that disproves the conspiracy theory has been fabricated.3. Any witnesses have remained silent / been silenced.4. Academic experts who do not support the conspiracy theory or have

officially denied it are part of the conspiracy and are lying.

Examples of conspiracy theories We never landed on the moon. The whole thing was filmed on a

Hollywood set. The Holocaust was entirely fabricated by Jews in order to gain sympathy

from the world. JFK’s assassination was a plot orchestrated by the mob and/or Vice

President Johnson.

Conspiracy Theories in HistoryWhen big events happen in history, we seek equally big

explanations.– JFK Assassination conspiracy: A single gunmen could not

have assassinated the President of the United States!– Pearl Harbor conspiracy: The US could not have been caught

by a surprise attack from a newly industrialized island nation!

But the truth of history demonstrates that sometimes big historical events have small beginnings.

WWII Big Picture Questions• What circumstances create dictators? How do countries

and their citizens fall victim to dictators?• When is war justified?• How can learning about war teach us about peace?• What circumstances drive people to kill and/or destroy?

Commit genocide?• How can we define a “crime” in the context of war?• Do apathy and inaction make one as guilty as the

perpetrators of war crimes?• How does war bring out the best and worst in humanity?• What is the relationship between war and technology?• What drives history: individuals and their choices, broad

social trends, or seemingly insignificant random occurrences (strokes of good/bad luck)?

Conspiracy Theories in HistoryWhen big events happen in history, we seek equally big

explanations.– JFK Assassination conspiracy: A single gunmen could not have

assassinated the President of the United States!– Pearl Harbor: The US could not have been caught by a surprise

attack from a newly industrialized island nation!But the truth of history demonstrates that sometimes big

historical events have small beginnings.– The outcast 17th son of a Saudi billionaire collected a ragtag group

of fanatics in the mountains of a forgotten country and trained 19 of them to launch one of the largest single attacks on the most powerful nation in the world.

Conspiracy Theories in HistoryWhen big events happen in history, we seek

equally big explanations.But the truth of history demonstrates that

sometimes big historical events have small beginnings.

It is the duty of historians to seek the truth, even when the conspiracy tells a better, more satisfying story.