Is Anti-Semitism Sufficient in Explaining the Holocaust
Jessica Lear
HR100
Rachel Duffett
Is anti-semitism a sufficient explanation for the Holocaust?
The “final solution” meant the systematic elimination of millions of Jews and other undesirables in Germany and the occupied and conquered territories. Obviously anti-Semitism was very important since millions of Jews were murdered in this act of Genocide. However other factors are also important in understanding how such a large-scale act of racial hatred can be possible in a European country such as Germany. To establish whether anti-Semitism was sufficient enough in understanding the holocaust one must look at both the world wars, the development of ideology, ‘aryanization’, persecution and opposition to the regime and finally history as the source of anti-semitism. The wars are important in understanding reasons for the Holocaust because they changed the circumstances drastically and had significant impact on making the holocaust possible.
Firstly the outcome of the First World War is important in understanding whether anti-Semitism is a sufficient explanation for the holocaust. The Treaty of Versailles signed in 1919 had meant that Germany lost a lot of territory to the allies such as the Polish Corridor and all overseas colonies. The war guilt clause also meant that Germany took the blame for the war. However Hitler did not believe this to be acceptable and even blamed the outcome of the treaty on the Jews somewhat justifying the later extermination of the Jews. Hitler wanted living space for the Germans in the policy of lebensraum and gaining the territories that were lost in the treaty of Versailles would provide this. Therefore the Second World War can be portrayed as an outcome of the first. Hitler’s idea that territory lost was Germany’s and lebensraum meant that foreign policy became one of expansionism that helped initiate the Second World War. Moreover the Second World War meant that the holocaust was made directly more possible.
Probably more
HR100
Rachel Duffett
Is anti-semitism a sufficient explanation for the Holocaust?
The “final solution” meant the systematic elimination of millions of Jews and other undesirables in Germany and the occupied and conquered territories. Obviously anti-Semitism was very important since millions of Jews were murdered in this act of Genocide. However other factors are also important in understanding how such a large-scale act of racial hatred can be possible in a European country such as Germany. To establish whether anti-Semitism was sufficient enough in understanding the holocaust one must look at both the world wars, the development of ideology, ‘aryanization’, persecution and opposition to the regime and finally history as the source of anti-semitism. The wars are important in understanding reasons for the Holocaust because they changed the circumstances drastically and had significant impact on making the holocaust possible.
Firstly the outcome of the First World War is important in understanding whether anti-Semitism is a sufficient explanation for the holocaust. The Treaty of Versailles signed in 1919 had meant that Germany lost a lot of territory to the allies such as the Polish Corridor and all overseas colonies. The war guilt clause also meant that Germany took the blame for the war. However Hitler did not believe this to be acceptable and even blamed the outcome of the treaty on the Jews somewhat justifying the later extermination of the Jews. Hitler wanted living space for the Germans in the policy of lebensraum and gaining the territories that were lost in the treaty of Versailles would provide this. Therefore the Second World War can be portrayed as an outcome of the first. Hitler’s idea that territory lost was Germany’s and lebensraum meant that foreign policy became one of expansionism that helped initiate the Second World War. Moreover the Second World War meant that the holocaust was made directly more possible.
Probably more
Bibliography: Primary Sources Instruction from Foreign Office on eliminating Jews from German life, 25 January 1939’ in Steve Hochstadt (ed), Sources of the Holocaust, (Hampshire/New York, 2004). ‘Bavarian petition opposing equality for Jews, 10 January 1850’, in Steve Hochstadt (ed), Sources of the Holocaust, (Hampshire, New York: 2004). Secondary Sources Aly, Gotz, ‘Final Solution’ Nazi Population Policy and the Murder of the European Jews, (London, 1999). Avraham Barkai, ‘Volksgemeinschaft, ‘aryanization’ and the holocaust’, in David Ceserani (ed), The Final Solution Origins and Implementation, (London,1994). Omer Bartov, ‘Operation Barbarossa and the Origins of the Final Solution’ in David Ceserani (ed), The Final Solution Origins and Implementation, (London, 1994). Briggs, Asa, Clavin, Patricia, Modern Europe 1789-Present, 2nd edition (Great Britain, 2003). Christopher R. Browning ‘Hitler and the Euphoria of Victory The Path to the Final Solution’ in David Ceserani (ed), The Final Solution Origins and Implementation, (London, 1994). Heywood, Andrew, Political Ideologies, An Introduction, (Hampshire/New York: 3rd Ed 2003).