There is no doubt that the seven-part Harry Potter series written by famed author J.K. Rowling is an imaginative world that is adored by children, teens and adults. But is there more to the fantasy tales than houselves, Quidditch, killing curses and cauldrons?

  
There are many theories about the underlying meanings of many of the themes, people and events in the Harry Potter novels. Scholars have interpreted many of the political, social and historical aspects as a commentary on currents and historical events. The most common interpretations of the Harry Potter texts view them as a commentary on the notorious Nazi regime, and also as a commentary on the 21st century struggle to contain global terrorism.

  
It is actually quite easy to see the link between the fascist Nazi regime that was led by Adolf Hitler, and the Death Eaters led by Lord Voldemort (He-who-must-be-named-for-this-article). The goal of the Nazis was to create a single, superior Aryan race by killing off all the races and people that they felt were inferior. The Death Eaters had the same goal. Their sole goal was to rid the world of all Muggles and half bloods so that the only remaining race to the rule would be the pure bloods (Witches and Wizards).

  
The Holocaust can be compared to the means that were used by the Death Eaters and Voldemort. The Nazis used a systematic way of killing off all the Jews, much like the Voldemort directed the Death Eaters to do to the Muggles and half bloods. The Nazis also forced all non-Aryan races to register with the government just as the Ministry of Magic eventually did with all non-pure bloods.

  
The development of the Death Eaters and Nazi regime are very similar also. Adolph Hitler started off as a political activist who used his power of persuasion to gain support and eventually take over the government. Voldemort used his persuasiveness and powerful wizarding skills to gain support from other fellow dark wizards until he eventually had an army of followers that were taking orders from him.

  
Hitler and Voldemort had more in common than most people realize. Other than the fact that they both were dictators that used their power to take over the world by killing off what they felt were inferior people, they also had personal commonalities. It has long been debated that Hitler was part Jewish himself. This is quite ironic considering that he tried to kill off all the Jews. Voldemort tried to kill off all the Muggles and half bloods although we find out that he had a Muggle father, therefore making him a half-blood.

  
There have also been many theories that suggest Dumbledore was based upon the famous U.K. Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. There is no doubt that they have a lot in common. Churchill helped to defeat the Nazi regime just as Dumbledore helped to defeat the Death Eaters.

  
The link between the war on global terror and Harry Potter is just as easy to notice as the link between the Nazi regime and the Death Eaters. The Ministry of Magic can be compared to the U.S. government who is fighting global terrorism, or the Dark Arts, and it’s ringleaders such as Suddam Hussein, or Lord Voldemort.

  
Just as the U.S. government is often criticized for its actions so is the Ministry of Magic. The U.S. government and the Ministry of Magic both have been engrained with scandals, cover-ups, questionable policies, actions, politicians, and methods.

 
Many of the links to the current global terrorism and political issues can be interpreted starting in the fourth novel, The Goblet of Fire. There appears to be a lot of similarities with the way the ambitious Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge handled affairs, and the way George Bush handled affairs in Iraq.

  
The idea of terrorism is similar in the book and in current events. The 9/11 attacks and bombings that continue to occur are all acts of terrorism that are similar to the way the Death Eaters perform terrorism by destroying bridges, murdering innocent people, and forcing children to kill their elders.

  
Even the community response to the war on terror is similar between the United States and the Harry Potter novels. Following the 9/11 attacks the United States developed a tighter sense of community just as the wizarding world did when they learned that Voldemort was back to power. The United States also beefed up security and began giving people more advice about how to stay secure.

Many Americans went out and bought guns and security systems for their homes. Once Voldemort came back to power, the government issued pamphlets on “Protecting your Home and Family against Dark Forces.” George and Fred Weasley’s joke shop also made a lot of money because many wizards bought Shield Cloaks from them for safety. In the later novels, the wizards would get up every morning and read The Daily Prophet hoping not to see someone that they knew had been killed during the fight against terrorism. This is the same response by friends and family of the soldiers in Iraq.

  
The government of the United States and the Ministry of Magic acted very similar in their response to the terrorist attacks. The United States government wrongfully accused many people of terrorism and even jailed some innocent people during the war on terror. The Ministry of Magic did also. Many of the wrongfully accused wizards were sent to Azkaban, the cruel wizarding prison, which could easily be compared to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.

  
After reading this it is easy to see that there is more than just entertainment in J.K. Rowling’s novels. There is also a lot that can be learned. Politics and history aren’t the only things that are discussed in the book though. If you analyze the book closely you can see commentary on religion, social justice, education and media. So next time you dive into the world of Hogwarts, don’t only read the novel for fun, see what you can learn from the novel as well.

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