One example of the cognitive dissonance was the French Revolution. People of France thought they are being oppressed by the monarchs in the region, and in particular the Queen. As a result of this, violent protests started throughout France. The monarchs tried to curb the revolution by arresting the rebels, and by using fear tactics to make sure that this revolution does not spread. However, the revolution did spread under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the French Emperors were executed by the violent Mob. This is an example of Cognitive Dissonance because the authority in the form of Napoleon Bonaparte told the people they are being oppressed and they need to do something to save their lives, and make the future of their children better. The mob responded by acting in a violent way and 100s of years old monarchy was established. It is an example of cognitive dissonance because people let themselves being rule, but changed their belief when a figure of authority told them to. Their old belief was to respect the monarchs, but later their beliefs were altered by Napoleon and other leaders of the revolution. (History)
Another example of cognitive dissonance can be seen in the case of Hitler and Nazi movement. The Nazis on the command of Hitler committed atrocities on the people of Poland, especially the Jews. They were tortured, murdered and rape without being trialed or going through the process of Justice. It was one of the most barbaric movements aimed to get rid of one race. However, the credit to the Nazi movement goes to Hitler. He was the one who changed the believed of Nazi army and made them do some of the most hideous war crimes. The entire Nazi army on the command of Hitler thought that Jew were their enemies and killed them in what was one of the most barbaric attempt of a genocide. (Gil-White)
Another incident occurred in United India before its partition in 1947. In 1930s, a British Army general ordered the army to open fire at the protestors in which thousands of native Indian died. The British army officer who ordered his troops to open fire was General Dyers. He appointed by the imperialist government of East India Company. The soldiers who were also Indians opened fire on their brethren on the commands of an imperialist ruler. At that times Indians were trying to gain independence from the Britishers who were ruling India at that time. They want to impose self rule in the country, and were protesting at a place called Jallianwallah Bagh. The British Army General did not like this protest and asked his troops to open fire on the protestor. Many died and wounded by the Indian soldiers on the command of a foreign authority who had nothing in common with the soldiers and had illegally occupied their land. This shows how cognitive dissonance plays its role when a superior commands something out of his subordinates (Lal).
The above examples show that the deviant behavior occurred in different places. In all cases, it was on the orders of an authority figures. This behavior can occur again because the human mind is built in a way that complies with the instructions of a superior and the role of cognitive dissonance cannot be denied in any of these cases.
Works Cited:
Lal, Vinay. "Manas: History and Politics, British India." Manas: History and Politics, British
India. N.p., 1993. Web. 07 Dec. 2014.
"French Revolution." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2014.
Gil-White, Francisco. "THE PROBLEM OF JEWISH SELF-DEFENSE." HIIR. HIIR, 06 May
2006. Web. 6 Dec. 2014.
