The experiment "The Third Wave". How an American teacher recreated totalitarianism in the classroom

Imagine a typical American classroom in 1967, where students, as always, are listening to a history lesson. But something changes: the teacher begins to demand strict discipline from them, enforcing a strict order and obedience. Within a few days, the class transforms into a miniature totalitarian movement, and the students become its devoted followers. This is not fiction, but a real experiment conducted by American history teacher Ron Jones at Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, California.

Ron Jones was a young idealistic history teacher who taught about World War II and the Holocaust. During one lesson, the students asked him a question:

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

Jones began by enforcing strict discipline: students had to sit up straight, keep their backs straight, respond quickly to questions, and listen to him unquestioningly. He created a simple slogan:

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

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

The students received a special sign – a gesture of three fingers bent in a wave – which they were to use to greet each other. He called this movement “The Third Wave”, referring to the natural phenomenon: the third wave in the ocean is always the strongest.

Strangely, many students began to feel part of something larger than just a class. They became united, even those who previously had no friends.

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

This led to unexpected consequences. Some students reported on their classmates, even on friends. The atmosphere in the classroom became increasingly tense, yet exciting for many – they felt part of an elite movement.

On the fourth day, Jones announced that the “Third Wave” movement was part of a larger national program, and that on Friday, the leader of the movement would be announced at a national level. The students were excited and ready for something big.

On Friday, Jones gathered the students in the auditorium in front of a screen, where they awaited the leader's address. But instead, he turned on a blank channel.

Then he revealed the truth: there is no movement, and they themselves had become victims of their own need to submit. Jones showed footage from the Nuremberg Trials, where Nazi leaders justified themselves with the words: “I was just following orders.”

The students were shocked. Some cried, some were angry, some were silent. They realized how easily they had fallen under the influence of an idea they had initially criticized.

The experiment ended, but its consequences continued to affect the students for a long time. Some of them said it was the most important lesson of their lives.

Later, Jones wrote a book about it titled The Third Wave, and a film Die Welle (2008) and several theatrical productions were made based on the experiment.

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

This story serves as a warning that totalitarianism does not start with dictators, but with simple choices: to submit or to think, to follow or to question.