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Tyranny Could not Quell Them

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Extrait de l’ouvrage: Gene SHARP, Tyranny Could not Quell Them, Peace News, Philadelphia; 23 p.

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tyrannyThe Norwegian teachers’ resistance is one of the most widely known incidents of the Nazi occupation of  Norway. There is much tender feeling concerning it, not because it shows outstanding heroism or particularly dramatic event§, but because it shows what happens where a section of ordinary citizens, very few of whom aspire to be heroes or pioneers of resistance, are suddenly faced with terrifying situations of a kind which they were never trained to meet. Those who showed weaknesses will probably never get over it. Those 1-vho found unexpected strength in their hearts will perhaps always feel stronger. The journey to the camp at Kirkenes and the decisions taken before it exemplifies a kind of test that might be put to anyone anywhere in the years to come.

500 teachers from all over Norway were sent to Kirkenes in 1942 after refusing to teach the nazi curriculum. (Photo: Arkivverket.no)
500 teachers from all over Norway were sent to Kirkenes in 1942 after refusing to teach the nazi curriculum. (Photo: Arkivverket.no)

The main lesson seems-to be that people are able to stand up for what they believe and find their own leaders irrespective of how the military situation develops. It is of great value that Gene Sharp, as a man from another country and as an experienced specialist in studying non-violent resistance, has undertaken to write about the  » Kirkenes Journey. » His account reveals an intimate knowledge of his subject and an ability to concentrate on those aspects which make the journey intensely interesting to those who ask about the potentialities of non-violent resistance in the future.

PROFESSOR ARNE NPESS.
Institute of Philosophy and the History of Ideas,
The University of Oslo,