The Nazis recruited to win the Cold War - Brian Crim

Dig into Operation Paperclip, a secret intelligence program which brought scientists from Nazi Germany to the US after WWII.
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In May of 1945 the Third Reich was in chaos. Adolf Hitler was dead and German surrender was imminent. But while World War II was almost over, a new war was brewing. And the US was eager to recruit the smartest minds in Germany before the Soviets got the chance- regardless of their affiliation with the Nazis. This became known as Operation Paperclip. Brian Crim digs into the clandestine campaign.
Lesson by Brian Crim, directed by Jeff Le Bars, JetPropulsion.space.
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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Mi Mi, Thomas Rothert, Brian Elieson, Oge O, Weronika Falkowska, Nevin Spoljaric, Sid Chanpuriya, Anoop Varghese, David Yastremski, Noah Webb, Roberto Chena, Oliver Koo, Luke Pisano, Andrea Gordon, Aleksandar Donev, Nicole Klau Ibarra, Jesse Lira, Ezekiel Raui, Petr Vacek, Dennis, Olivia Fu, Kari Teffeau, Cindy Lai, Rajath Durgada Manjunath, Dan Nguyen, Chin Beng Tan, Tom Boman, Karen Warner, Iryna Panasiuk, Aaron Torres, Eric Braun, Sonja Worzewski, Michael Clement, Adam Berry, Ghaith Tarawneh, Nathan Milford, Tomas Beckett, Alice Ice, Eric Berman, Kurt Paolo Sevillano, Jennifer Heald, Megulo Abebe, isolwi, Kate Sem, Ujjwal Dasu, Angel Alberici, Minh Quan Dinh, Sylvain, Terran Gimpel and Talia Sari.

[@ghostderazgriz]

What the heck this video is exceptional. Script, animation, story board. You guys really out did yourselves with this one.

[@Laszlo5897]

Still can't pronounce a German name.

[@leoonice4446]

❤only reason for having a comment today, great animation 😊

[@LongLiveCheems]

Agreed!

[@opwave79]

Right? Dang. Mad props to the animation team.

[@TheGamingAddict2000]

Its an extremely important and sensitive topic that deserves this level of effort. The world is going through another wave of fasicm, lessons learnt from WW2 should be as public as possible.

[@nat_htrk]

THE ANIMATION tho.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed.

[@SNjash]

It’s fire.

[@hebasal9813]

The animation is so smooth

[@harryalmirol]

@@iiiKingLongSwipeiii ummm they have their own animators???

[@eggyolk0]

​​@@iiiKingLongSwipeiii So apparently every smooth animation is AI... ok. Just saw your other replies, if you are just here to be negative, then don't comment! 🤡🤡‼️💏👬

[@iiiKingLongSwipeiii]

@@eggyolk0 U MAD ⁉️🤣

[@kenj9298]

Rotoscope

[@eggyolk0]

@@iiiKingLongSwipeiii Never said I was? If you have no argument to back up your claim, then just say so.

[@RealUlrichLeland]

This was also the case for Japanese scientists who were part of unit 731, a concentration camp in China that the Japanese used to commit unspeakably depraved human experiments on live civilians. The scientists were offered amnesty by the US, in exchange for their research on biological warfare and medicine, even though these experiments were wildly unscientific and had come at the expense of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives.

[@bdleo300]

Yeah, they even gave them the new jobs in America...

[@TD1237]

Yeah, Japan and Germany did a lot of oddIy unscientific 'research'. Josef Mengel and his obsesssion with Romani twins come to mind. Unfortunately, these vctims are often lgnored by mainstream media.

[@seanhsieh4149]

@@bdleo300how did u know ?

[@barricadedpurifier]

If I remember correctly, they helped figure out frostbite and how it can be counteracted. But the way they went about it was extremely inhumane. Many of the test subjects were vulnerable people like kids and the elderly.

[@The-Cookie]

This was exactly what I was thinking of too while watching the video!

[@Vaishino]

"If the rockets go up, who cares where they come down? That's not my department" says Wernher von Braun.

[@ThomasBriard]

Tom Leher

[@OzyTheLast]

His rockets aimed for the stars yet instead they kept falling on London

[@catelynstark9883]

Alt Reality: Mohammed Atta: me and my homies Ziad and Marwan want to fly some V1s Wernher: V1s? You got it! 😈

[@frankboehm591]

Who's political allegiance is one of expedience. Masterful wordplay

[@Legendarial]

oppenheimer on opposite day

[@chingamfong]

3:49 You out did yourself again Ted Ed

[@dr1o761]

Goes hard

[@itosilva71]

​@JaneDoe-dr6zc😢,😅 😅😅, eu,, não Zé o dia por,lá,,yii, e ,,😮, eu,,, umvc u, e,,, nãlw M

[@albertcamus886]

There's almost no difference

[@ivanmendez6422]

Heck of a video!!! The animations are insane! It perfectly captures the strategic maneuvering of the whole "recruiting talent" situation, like a real-life chess game, just capturing pieces.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed.

"History is a set of lies we have agreed upon." -Napoleon Bonaparte

[@iiiKingLongSwipeiii]

Exactly ‼️

[@grantlin4000]

History is written by the Victor. History is full of liars. - Cpt. Price

[@Mayan_88694]

@@grantlin4000except it isn’t

[@Mayan_88694]

False

[@Mayan_88694]

@@grantlin4000history isn’t written by the victors, baseless conspiracies aren’t gonna work

[@bL4nkbR4in]

0:08 that transition is crazyy

[@whatsup3519]

Animation was like smooth butter. Love it❤. Well done team ted ed.

[@iiiKingLongSwipeiii]

Oh you must have not heard about AI

[@scifi_shop]

Thanks ai

[@himanbam]

@@iiiKingLongSwipeiii Why do you think it is AI?

[@AVeryCooIName]

​@@iiiKingLongSwipeiiinah this is too good to be ai. But it does look rotoscoped at some parts

[@thelamejoker2382]

Yet another masterpiece by Jet Propulsion, loved their animation in the corruption video and yet here we are looking at YET another masterpiece!

[@iiiKingLongSwipeiii]

That's all thanks to AI

[@thelamejoker2382]

@@iiiKingLongSwipeiii lmao I really don't think so as I doubt that the smoothness as seen in this video can be generated by AI, besides JetPropulsion has animated quite a lot of videos for Ted Ed much more before AI started taking over so pretty sure it's a manually animated work

[@Flijo-zi]

​@@iiiKingLongSwipeiii Probably not, i don't see any flaw that the "ai" Makes, specially the hands

[@gnuffe7778]

Yo why was this vid soo good! Props to the people at TED-ed this was actually the best i've seen form yall yet!

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed.

[@fbmw98]

this is the best ted ed animation style i've seen. please do more.

[@negativecharisma7583]

"Alright herr Braun, for your crimes against humanity, you are hereby sentenced to de-" "Wait! I can make rockets go really far." "De-portation to the United States. Here's your citizenship. Welcome to America!"

[@valmid5069]

“And when history did not cooperate, history was changed” -Dr. Zola, Captain America Winter Soldier

[@kimlip_tree2009]

dude literally what i was thinking about while watching. that movie is a lot less fun to watch when you realize the government literally did that

[@LineOfThy]

people forget, operation paperclip was a real thing

[@Raziel312]

When you dangle something they want badly enough, a human will twist their most sacred principles into a pretzel in order to justify reaching out and taking it. So what else is new?

[@md.johnpaul467]

Wow! Such a feast of a video, excellent animation 👌 Ending was particularly marvelous

[@ahsanhabibj0y]

I can't pick what I like more about the video, the animation, the topic or the message. Excellent all round!

[@thelamejoker2382]

No wonder this one too was animated by Jet Propulsion

[@robjulianmaghinang6406]

I've been watching TED videos for years and this is the finest made ever! The animation, colors, music, and narration are SUPERB!

[@Erosis]

This one has fantastic animations that really ties everything together. The quality is also incredible.

[@thetrison]

Incredible visualization!

[@HanyaAngulooke]

What an exceptional video for such a delicate topic. The TED-ED team have really out done themselves.

[@SciMinute]

Ted-ed's ever-improving animation! Great!👍👍

[@musonobari2560]

5:06 😂😂😂 this is almost hilarious. There is every reason to thinkso. Von Braughn was the game changer who convinced American engineers that cryogenic, liquid fuelled engines were the only way to space. Americans were still grappling with solid fuel motors up to the late 40's

[@musonobari2560]

There wasn't any chance of Americans leap jumping from solid motors to liquid ones miraculously within a decade! 😀 Nice animation by the way!

[@IIllIIllIIllIIll]

1:28 Thanks for telling me the function of a paperclip.

[@NgocLe-yp7ne]

Incredible script, voice-over and animation. Bravo team Ted Ed

[@Ezra-le6zr]

I litterally love this video's animation style!

[@rafael-rossi]

Outstanding ethical components for this video. Nicely done, TED-Ed!

[@synsvids]

I'm going to ask my history teacher if we could watch this video, or even part of it in class sometime. We're learning about WW2 currently, so I feel it fitting for us to view this

[@climate_anti-hoax]

Read Howard Zinn's Peoples' History of the US (or at least watch a documentary about it).

[@Gala-yp8nx]

Once they go up, where they come down, that’s not my department, says Werner Von Braun.

[@Awoken_Remmuz]

*starts humming the tune*

[@AndyBeltran278]

Crim's work highlights the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths from our past to inform our understanding of the present.

[@chingamfong]

Dr Strangelove was how I first learned about this part of history.

[@lvbboi9]

The Animation Team popped off with this one.

[@thenewongoam2486]

Next: Unit 731

[@yottadrive]

Next: Operation Osoaviakhim.

[@이윤숙-z7e]

❤

[@tangomango2353]

Animation, content, and narration are gold. This video is amazing

[@LittlePrincess101]

Exceptionally handled, animated, and delivered. I am curious to learn more about this Wernher von Braun. This is going in my *Favorites* outstanding animation.

[@AntonChigurh989]

Interesting assessment of a nuanced situation

[@kurtlindner]

_An_ assessment of a nuanced situation.

[@Mr.Paticles]

As the saying goes, "This is no such thing as an American Space Program, this are only the Soviets and the Nazis"

[@Kull1339]

This should be not be a surprise to anyone outside of highschool. If you are out of highschool and leaned this, history has more surprises my friend. If your a student learning this, your already ahead of the game

[@natiqueibrar]

BRO THE ANIMATION IS THE REAL CREATION!!!

[@shin_jim]

I am a big fan of ted-ed videos, but this is the first time I'm leaving a comment. It was brilliant. The animation, storyboard, the voice.. quality content. I wish one day i join such teams.

[@Starstruck8970]

Broo this is so detailed! An exceptional video, I love how you expressed everything, and everything was perfect!

[@amritatiwari6506]

Hats off to the animator(s)❤‍🔥👏🏻

[@SimCityEA1989]

Usually, comments are filled with discussions related to the film. The comments are nothing but praise for the good storyline and extremely good animations! Now that's how you know this is a very well-done video!

[@SpartanManch]

Man, there's a handful of movies that could be made off of this video alone.

[@dpchase84]

Duuuude you have outdone yourselves. Kudos for the greatest video I’ve ever seen from you!

[@horationelson1840]

The story of Von Braun has always been inspiring to me. It’s a message to me that no matter what you’ve done in your past, sometimes an opportunity will present itself to do good, but these opportunities often do not come. So when the time comes to be good, you must take it, because there are many who never even got that opportunity and you can truly make a difference in the lives of others. It’s not about “making up” for your past or seeking “forgiveness”. It’s just about doing something good when you have the chance to, regardless of what you’ve done in your past. Some people don’t deserve a second chance and get it anyways, some people do deserve a second chance and never get it. So if you get a second chance, use it for good.

[@OMalleyTheMaggot]

Einstein from the get-go was very much "I don't like where this is going"

[@TheHellyeahmen]

This is the first time I've heard the word sputnik pronounced correctly in english

[@omarmejouatemd]

The animation is state of the art! Well job to the team who has worked on it!

[@nathank817]

i recommend the book “Operation Paperclip” about these scientists

[@dralakbarov]

So in short, while Operation Paperclip was successful in achieving its objectives, its ethical implications remain a subject of debate.

[@Classified61838]

Pretty much

[@thomasdaywalt7735]

smooth like crazy

[@ayasaad9658]

absolutely love this visual company of such an impactful video

[@mekasa6721]

I love how the U.S government throws human rights violations and Antisemitism out the window for its interests.

[@Cameraqueen14]

The operation wasn’t murky; it was illegal.

[@radus9190]

And yet it’s results are spectacular for the US

[@Cody_Bryant1776]

No it wasnt

[@radus9190]

@@Cody_Bryant1776 how so? I see it as a complete win with no downsides at the first glance. US got to win the space race and acquire brilliant scientists at the expense of what?

[@Cameraqueen14]

Several had just been identified and prosecuted as war criminals during the Nuremberg Trials.

[@fyukfy2366]

​@@radus9190 rewarding some of the highest ranking Nazis isn't a negative?

[@luuchoo93]

Absolutely beautiful animation. Every episode is so interesting.

[@abhigyansrivastava4247]

The Animation was as systematic and well designed like the information it gave!!!

[@alensufli]

okay this 6 minutes long video is way better looking than most films today

[@Question-Log]

Finally, I was wondering when they would do Operation Paperclip.

[@macmedia1000]

You always get the right style for the every subject TED and please make more History vs.

[@crankyturtle9704]

Another incredible lesson with captivating visuals!

[@mortenharket3265]

The animation was so sick it's one of the best I've seen so far! A truly remarkable creation by Ted Ed! It really suits the story

[@lukaszwojciechowski3663]

The animation in this is insane!

[@Banter07]

This episode is delectable

[@medusagorgon8432]

The art pattern within this video is quite clever. I especially like the visual of the missiles becoming part of the crown for the Statue of Liberty. The message behind it is most unfortunate and very true.😣

[@redbloomqueen9463]

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST VIDEO OF TED ED WOW....

[@najmulahsan8364]

How can you make an animation so captivating??!!🙃🙃You've outdone your own feat❤❤just keep enlightening us this way❤❤❤

[@_zyphis_2281]

Nobody’s talking about how chilling the transition is at 3:40

[@silentwhisper868]

I could see how the recruitment of millitary scientists who were TRULY apolitical can be justified and I evem support it, but granting refuge to those who commited war crimes and participated in a genocide is appauling and unforgetable.

[@AhmedIsmailMohammed]

0:55 this melody reminds me of the best game ever, Hitman.

[@chungisgamer3332]

I miss the gaming lemon bro

[@krux02]

A very weird pronunciation of Werner von Braun.

[@pleegjepleegje]

Very weird indeed 😅

[@sledgehammer-productions]

Someone didn't look at the English Wikipedia page, where it gives both the IPA and the 'like English' pronunciation.

[@pleegjepleegje]

I live at one of Germany's borders, and here the w of Werner sounds like a w, not like a v, and the first e sounds like the e in when, von doesn't sound like vaughn, but shortened like von 🙃 and Braun sounds just like Brown, with a harsh r, made at the back of the mouth near the throat 😅

[@marianadineva14]

Basically if you are smart enough even war crimes will be forgiven while you’ll caught and tried for your crimes only if you’re useless enough. Sad reality.

[@proches]

The animation is off the charts!

[@grandcanyon-d4d]

You forgot the Japanese war criminals too, Shiro Ishii was in Korea during the war.

[@Imaginary.Dragon]

Nice work with the Animation!

[@rissikesthiyagarajah2205]

The animation is so slick and stylish. You guys should impressed with yourself.

[@barannyakakaty1654]

what brilliant animation and 0:09 wow

[@DanielMussen-ex8si]

Universe Mode Past Present Future

[@karimabushaikha9725]

The animation in this one is amazing

[@ripple1710]

These animation are amazing!

[@yiannchrst]

This video is a masterpiece! Well done!

[@hamsterclamper]

Fascinating video, but who told the narrator to say ‘Vorn Brawn’?

[@frogstrap]

I think the framing in parts of this video is interesting, as if prosecuting them for crimes against humanity wasn't also an option. Not that it's surprising. The USA has always facilitated or worked with some of the worst groups and people on earth if it advances their own interests; Nazis, Contras, Mujahideen, Colombian paramilitary groups, Syrian militant groups, etc. Operation Gladio comes to mind...

[@Smartyvoy]

As if the Americans were the only ones; the Soviets also recruited German Scientists for their own interests as well as helping other dictatorships.

[@christiana5453]

@@Smartyvoy No one said otherwise, I believe they only focused on America because I assume they're an American citizen and care more about who our government associates with over the USSR/Russia

[@Smartyvoy]

@@christiana5453 fair enough

[@kingace6186]

"Always", huh. WW2 was apocalyptic. But the Cold War forced many of us to abandon our humanities due to crippling paranoia and the constant risk of nuclear Armageddon. Life was rough back then. We are lucky, and therefore have higher moral standards. Not an excuse, but an analysis.

[@amiraslam7758]

​@@SmartyvoyBut the Soviets don't say to the world that they r the preacher of human rights like the US does all the time...

[@danielwordsworth1843]

Agent Orange should have gotten a bigger highlight, its quite the opposite of Moon rocket

[@luyandzabavukiledlamini4693]

These wonderful animated Ted-Ed videos should be taught in history classes

[@rkmh9342]

Reminds me of that killer line from The Golden Girls: "Ma, only fascists hate communists"

[@HYDRARGYRUM236]

I think the ex-communists countries are the ones that hates them the most.

[@JK-gu3tl]

Liberals hate both.

[@nk-kf7mq]

so artistic animation! also so informative!

[@ChichaGad]

I'm that comment that's not about the animation and visuals

[@maridelacroix1998]

Kudos to all involved in the making of this lesson. Really an AMAZING piece, although the subject itself is very disturbing, to say the least.

[@Hadi_Nabi]

I’ve had a hard time at school with understanding paperclip, my teachers didn’t offer proper guidance to its history. Not only did I learn a lot from this video. I also highly enjoyed it. It was very, very well-made.

[@Rudnaz_127]

11/10 animation and informing of history

[@siphonlx]

Love this narrator

[@MrBensella]

The amazing part is that nothing actually changed… things are even worse

[@jokodihaynes419]

"History can say what it want but rarely does it remember anything correctly"-Lawkeeper Equity Mlp Ace Attorney EOJ

[@rohandanielisaac8107]

Wow, This video is on a class on it's own. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST Ted-Ed.

[@ydiotboi]

I've learned and I enjoyed it. amazing Ted Ed.

[@dropyourself]

"overpowered popular objections" is one way to say that they're undemocratic.

[@aricanto1764]

Finally some main stream disclosure. Only took half a century 😂