[HPforGrownups] Voldemorts Sphere of Influence

[Ebony Elizabeth Thomas]

No: HPFGUIDX 11469

What a great thread!

Monika wrote:

> >How far does/did Voldemort's Reign of Terror extend?  Was it just the UK
>that experienced the dark times?  Or did Europe also have problems with
>Death Eaters?  Did other countries even know what was going on?  I know all
>of this is pure conjecture - I don't recall there being anything mentioned
>about Voldemort being feared around the world.

Great question!

Many have noted parallels between Voldemort and Hitler. I'd like to point 
out that both of the World Wars were mainly fought in Europe.  Technically 
speaking, "world war" is a misnomer, since the majority of the world's 
population might not have had any clear idea of what was going on.

However, because of the relative dominance of the West over the past half 
millennium, whatever happens in the Western, "developed" nations has echoes 
in the so-called "Third World".

In closing, if Hitler's Germany had won World War II, I'm not so sure that 
he would have left his diabolical "Final Solution" on that continent.  
Similarly, if V.'s forces had prevailed in the years preceding Harry's 
birth, I'm *sure* he wouldn't have just stopped at European "mudbloods".

My view is that there could be "pureblooded", bigoted societies of wizards 
found on every continent.  These groups may not have a close genetic link to 
one another.  But the purity of blood and the superiority of magical over 
magic-less has been drilled into their heads.

As with most forms of racism and prejudice, the origin of 
anti-Muggle/Mudblood sentiment could have been precipated by any number of 
things.  I believe that the trigger that set in motion the evolution of 
racial prejudice in our own world consisted of several factors.  Over time, 
this prejudice becomes more and more acute.  For instance, Salazar 
Slytherin's dissent over Muggle-borns being allowed into Hogwarts culminated 
in V's all-consuming hatred a millennium later.

In the case of wizard prejudice, I believe that different events unfolding 
on different continents may have triggered the evolution of a Salazar 
Slytherin in the first place.  My theory is that some continents may have 
"remembered" magic for a longer period of time than others.  I've even 
sketched out a recent plausible magical history for Africa and the New 
World.  Rita Winston the Catlady, again, also has some very intriguing 
thoughts on this issue.

Again, Monika, great question.  I've been reading and thinking a lot about 
this topic lately.  And if the rumors are accurate, JKR will address this 
more fully in the books to come... we may be visiting Bill in Egypt before 
the series is over.  Just as Anne Rice did an excellent job in explaining to 
readers the origin of vampirism, I feel that Jo may explain to us how her 
version of magic came to be.

--Ebony

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Ebony AKA AngieJ
(H/H Special Agent, First Class)

"'We start by recruiting members,' said Hermione happily.  'I thought two 
Sickles to join--that buys a badge--and the proceeds can fund our leaflet 
campaign.  You're treasurer, Ron--I've got you a collecting tin 
upstairs--and Harry, you're secretary, so you might want to write down 
everything I'm saying now, as a record of our first meeting.'

"There was a pause in which Hermione beamed at the pair of them, and Harry 
sat, torn between exasperation at Hermione and amusement at the look on 
Ron's face."

--from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, p. 225, 1st Amer. ed.

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