A Multidimensional Approach to Analyzing the Holocaust
A Multidimensional Approach to Analyzing the Holocaust:
The Rationale of the German Perpetrators
Erica Lighter
Vanier College
14 December, 2011
A Multidimensional Approach to Analyzing the Holocaust:
The Rationale of the German Perpetrators
This paper examines why the various people involved in implementing the policies of the Nazi regime in Germany – such as the scientists, doctors, prison guards, soldiers, and police – went along with the Nazi policies for such a long period of time; more specifically, there is a focus on the Holocaust in the context of the rationale for the perpetrator’s behaviors. Indeed, the events that took place during the Holocaust consisted of extreme cruelty, and ultimately led to the murder of six million Jewish people. A historical analysis of these events demonstrates the many atrocities that were committed by the Nazis. It is also important to examine the many reasons why the various people involved in implementing the policies of the Nazi regime played their roles unquestioningly and obediently; some of these major reasons can be explained by dehumanization, diffusion of responsibility, propaganda, and with the help of functionalist theory, such as division of labor and the perceptions of the Other.
Key Historical Events
The Holocaust is a genocide wherein the German soldiers systematically killed six million Jews. It is an important and interesting historical event to analyze, as this genocide did not just take place overnight; there were a number of important events that ultimately led to this tragedy. Indeed, history is a sequence of events that can help to explain the development of societies and institutions (Coffin, Cole, Stacy & Symes, 2011, p. xxxviii). Accordingly, the beginnings of Nazi policies can be traced back to 1933, when Adolf Hitler – a powerful political leader – came into power in Germany (Bytwerk, 2005, p. 38). Although many events which are important
The Rationale of the German Perpetrators
Erica Lighter
Vanier College
14 December, 2011
A Multidimensional Approach to Analyzing the Holocaust:
The Rationale of the German Perpetrators
This paper examines why the various people involved in implementing the policies of the Nazi regime in Germany – such as the scientists, doctors, prison guards, soldiers, and police – went along with the Nazi policies for such a long period of time; more specifically, there is a focus on the Holocaust in the context of the rationale for the perpetrator’s behaviors. Indeed, the events that took place during the Holocaust consisted of extreme cruelty, and ultimately led to the murder of six million Jewish people. A historical analysis of these events demonstrates the many atrocities that were committed by the Nazis. It is also important to examine the many reasons why the various people involved in implementing the policies of the Nazi regime played their roles unquestioningly and obediently; some of these major reasons can be explained by dehumanization, diffusion of responsibility, propaganda, and with the help of functionalist theory, such as division of labor and the perceptions of the Other.
Key Historical Events
The Holocaust is a genocide wherein the German soldiers systematically killed six million Jews. It is an important and interesting historical event to analyze, as this genocide did not just take place overnight; there were a number of important events that ultimately led to this tragedy. Indeed, history is a sequence of events that can help to explain the development of societies and institutions (Coffin, Cole, Stacy & Symes, 2011, p. xxxviii). Accordingly, the beginnings of Nazi policies can be traced back to 1933, when Adolf Hitler – a powerful political leader – came into power in Germany (Bytwerk, 2005, p. 38). Although many events which are important
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