Experiment «Third wave». How an American teacher recreated totalitarianism at school

Imagine a regular American class in 1967, where students, as always, listen to a history lesson. But something changes: the teacher begins to demand clear discipline from them, introduces strict order and submission. After a few days, the class turns into a miniature totalitarian movement, and the students become its loyal followers. This is not fiction, but a real experiment conducted by an American history teacher Ron Jones at school Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, California.

Ron Jones was a young ideological history teacher who taught the subject of World War II and the Holocaust. At one of the lessons, the students asked him the question:

Instead of a theoretical answer, Jones decided to conduct an experiment to show how people could become part of a totalitarian movement without even realizing it.

Jones began by introducing strict discipline: students had to sit straight, keep their backs straight, answer questions quickly, and listen to them without question. He created a simple slogan:

Surprised students began to follow the new rules, and even those who were usually passive became more active.

Jones expanded the experiment the next day. He introduced a new slogan:

Students received a special sign – gesture of three fingers bent into a wave, – with which they had to greet each other. He called this movement «Third wave» (The Third Wave), referring to a natural phenomenon: the third wave in the ocean is always the strongest.

Surprisingly, many students began to feel part of something bigger than just a classroom. They became united, even those who had no friends before.

Jones took the next step – introduced an identification system: members of the movement received IDs and had to make efforts to expose those who did not follow the rules.

This caused unexpected consequences. Some students reported on their friends, even friends. The atmosphere in the classroom became increasingly tense, but also exciting for many – they felt like part of the elite movement.

On the fourth day, Jones stated that the «Third Wave» – movement is part of a major national program, and that Friday will be the announcement of the movement's leader at the national level. The students were excited and ready for something big.

Jones gathered students in the assembly hall in front of the screen Friday, where they waited for the leader to address. But instead, he turned on the empty channel.

Then he told them the truth: no movement exists, and they themselves have become victims of their own need to obey. Jones showed footage from the Nuremberg Trials where Nazi leaders justified themselves by saying: «I was just following orders».

The students were shocked. Some cried, some were furious, some were silent. They realized how easily they came under the influence of an idea that they themselves initially criticized.

The experiment ended, but its consequences affected the students for a long time. Some of them said that this was the most important lesson in their lives.

Jones subsequently wrote a book about it «The Third Wave», and a film was made based on the experiment «Die Welle» (2008) and several theater productions.

Jones' experiment remains relevant. He showed that even educated and democratic societies are not immune to authoritarianism if people stop thinking critically.

This story – a warning that totalitarianism does not begin with dictators, but with simple decisions: obey or think, follow or ask.