Debating AI About The Similarities of the Racist Ideology of the Americans and Hitler’s Nazi Regime

By Scotty T. Reid

In continuing my experimentation with the suddenly much-talked-about and improved artificial intelligence tools being offered to the public which I did an hour-long podcast on earlier this year, I started engaging the Chat GPT platform which I use more than most, on topics concerning global racism or as some people call it, global white supremacy.

I have recently taken the initiative to engage two distinct AI platforms in a debate, allowing them to either support or contradict one another. In a social media post, I referenced my brief discussion with Chat GPT concerning the policies of Hitler’s Nazi regime, suggesting that they were no less egregious than the actions of the United States over a span of more than 400 years toward non-white populations. This perspective posited a significantly higher casualty count, surpassing the 11 million victims attributed to the Nazi regime’s atrocities. It’s worth noting that I observed a proclivity in Chat GPT to adopt an “Americanized Patriotic View,” seemingly inclined to downplay aspects of U.S. history, including instances of genocide against various groups while portraying Hitler as a uniquely monstrous figure.

Furthermore, I noted a tendency for responses to become repetitive and verbose, introducing arguments tangential to the primary question. For those interested in examining the exchange, you can do so by following this link to the Chat GPT exchange.

To explore this topic from an alternative perspective, I turned to another AI platform called Smodin equipped with research capabilities, posing similar questions and requesting it to compile a research paper that contradicts or conflicts with the discourse with Chat GPT.

Here is what Smodin generated:

**Title: The Similarities of the Racist Ideology of the Americans and Hitler’s Nazi Regime**

**Introduction:**
What are the similarities between the racist ideology of Americans and Hitler’s Nazi regime?

**Racial Superiority and Exclusion:**
The racist ideologies of Americans and Hitler’s Nazi regime share striking similarities. Both endorsed the concept of racial superiority and advocated for the exclusion of specific racial groups. Both implemented discriminatory policies and persecuted targeted racial groups, employing propaganda to disseminate their prejudiced beliefs. Both embraced the notion of white racial supremacy and upheld ideals of racial purity, emphasizing the need to maintain an untainted racial lineage [1].

The influence of American race laws on Nazi policies in Germany is well-documented, with some U.S. racial laws and practices serving as a source of inspiration for Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. The book “Hitler’s American Model” by James Q. Whitman traces the influence of American white supremacy on Nazi policy, indicating a significant American impact on Nazi ideology [2]. In both American and Nazi societies, deep-rooted histories of racism and discrimination prevailed, manifesting as institutionalized racism and common-law pragmatism that influenced Nazi policies.

Moreover, both American racists and Nazis adhered to the concept of racial hierarchy, targeting specific races as perceived threats to their respective nations [2][3]. In the United States and Nazi Germany, racism was employed to oppress distinct groups, with the goal in the U.S. being the segregation and exploitation of African Americans [1]. Hitler even used the American South as a positive reference for his racist regime [4]. While there are differences between these ideologies, the similarities are numerous and profound [4][5]. An examination of the racist policies of the segregated Jim Crow South and the Third Reich can shed light on these parallels [4].

**Influence of American Racism on Hitler’s Regime:**
American racism in the early 20th century significantly influenced Hitler’s Nazi regime, particularly in the formulation of the Nuremberg Laws. American racism not only impacted Americans but also played a pivotal role in shaping Hitler’s ascent to power [5]. Hitler admired the racially discriminatory American immigration statutes of the 1920s and Nazi lawyers studied the American example when crafting the Nuremberg Laws [5][3]. The Nuremberg Laws closely mirrored the United States by criminalizing intermarriage and relegating Jews to second-class citizenship [3]. American race law served as a model for establishing a racist legal framework, with the Nuremberg Laws designed to create a climate of fear in Germany, encouraging the Jewish population to emigrate [3].

References to America were not isolated or fleeting in Nazi rhetoric, challenging the perception of Nazis as solely malevolent figures. Although America bears responsibility for its mistreatment of African Americans and people of color throughout its history, it cannot be held responsible for the Holocaust [5]. Nevertheless, American racial classification laws were often more severe than those introduced by the Nazis in Germany [6].

**Contemporary Implications:**
The comparison of American and Nazi racist ideologies holds significant implications for contemporary society. It underscores the dangers and consequences of racist policies and their enduring impact on societies [4]. By scrutinizing these ideologies, we gain insights into the consequences of racism in present-day societies [4]. Comparing the racist policies of the Jim Crow South and the Third Reich can provide insights into contemporary political landscapes grappling with racism [4].

Additionally, this comparison challenges the notion of American exceptionalism and highlights the interconnection of the past. The roots of racism and white supremacy run deep in American history, necessitating recognition that Nazism was shaped by the American model of racism. This comparison serves as a reminder that America’s role in shaping Nazi ideology cannot be dismissed [3].

In conclusion, an analysis of the racist ideologies of both America and Hitler’s Nazi regime offers valuable lessons regarding the perils of such policies and their impact on society, both historically and in the present.

**References:**
1. What were some similarities between racism in Nazi Germany and in the United States, 1920s-1940s? (n.d.) Retrieved September 28, 2023, from encyclopedia.ushmm.org.
2. Hitler’s American Model | Princeton University Press. (n.d.) Retrieved September 28, 2023, from press.princeton.edu.
3. Why the Nazis Loved America. (n.d.) Retrieved September 28, 2023, from time.com/4703586/nazis-america-race-law/.
4. Menu, Utility, and Connect. (n.d.) Retrieved September 28, 2023, from humanityinaction.org.
5. How American Racism Shaped Nazism – AAIHS. (n.d.) Retrieved September 28, 2023, from www.aaihs.org/how-american-racism-shaped-nazism/.
6. How the Nazis Were Inspired by Jim Crow. (n.d.) Retrieved September 28, 2023, from www.history.com/news/how-the-nazis-were-inspired-by-jim-crow.

[Link to the exchange] (https://chat.openai.com/share/fef6c60e-f4af-471b-957d-721b04007b93)

(Note: This text is a rewritten version of your provided text for clarity and conciseness.)

In summary, based on my observations during this experimentation in debating artificial intelligence and using an alternative AI tool to uncover each other’s definitions, it has further underscored the concerns raised by critics regarding the potential bias in AI systems resulting from the biases of their programmers. Consequently, we find ourselves in a perpetual debate of pros versus cons. In the context of this specific experiment, I maintain that the advantages continue to outweigh the disadvantages from my perspective.