Do you think the final solution to the jewish question was an intentional goal of Hitler, evident through his world view shown in Mein Kampf, or that the chaotic nature of Nazi rule, and the lack of clear goals, (rather people tried to interpret the abstract concept of Hitler's will) made radicalization of persecution inevitably lead to genocide?
2006-09-13 09:50:27 · 5 answers · asked by Steve B 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
He planned it. It was not a mistake.
It is the most shameful event in human history.
2006-09-13 12:01:07 · answer #1 · answered by Pablo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not so sure he actually meant the death of all Jews in Europe when he started. I think his main policy was forced emigration - but, only in so far as I don't think he ever thought he would be in a position to order the murder.
If you read Christopher Brownings excellent book, The Origin of the Final Solution, you can see how the policy (with Hitler always as the driving spirit - he knew exactly what was going on) moved from emigration, to forced internal resettlement, to murder. By way of brutal mass shootings by the Einsatzgruppen.
Always understanding that the first two steps were intended to take place with the maximum possible suffering for the Jews. The so-called Madagascar plan which became briefly fashionable in Nazi circles, would have meant the dumping of millions of unprepared, largely urbanised Jews on a tropical island utterly unsuitable for them or anyone else in such numbers. The plan to herd them into "reservations" in conquered Russia would killed millions anyway.
You're right that the Nazi regime was inherently chaotic and tried to "work towards the Fuerher" but Hitler knew that, and used it and the channel that ran through Himmler and the SS to bring it about.
Read Browning's book - it really is excellent.
2006-09-13 17:28:14 · answer #2 · answered by UKJess 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've read Mein Kampf and I've seen the movie "Nuremburg" that used the actual dialogue from the real trial. I don't think Hitler cared either way at the beginning of the war and the beginning of his rise what happened to the jews. I think the mass killings of the Jews was a more of a result of Hitler not caring either way what happened to them and putting men like Hans Frank, Wilhelm Frick, Georing, Hess, Ernst Kaltenbrunner, Alfred Rosenberg, and von Ribbentrop in a position to commit the crimes. Hitler didn't mind that it happened, I'm sure. But I've never seen enough evidence that his real goal was to kill all of the jews.
And Himmler too
2006-09-13 20:42:53 · answer #3 · answered by coach_pearce 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Hitler outlined his innermost thoughts and motivations in Mein Kampf. Then he followed through on them.
The guy might actually have succeeded if he wasn't forced to invade russia early due to his impending death from parkinson's disease. It's a good thing for the rest of the world that something as rare as that afflicted him so early in life, effectively handing him a death sentence.
2006-09-13 16:54:17 · answer #4 · answered by 006 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd have to agree...read Mein Kampf and it's quite clear that he had all of that planned out ahead of time. Link to the book in english below, you can see how psychotic Hitler was by reading it!
2006-09-13 17:00:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋