How could such a thing happen in the middle of the 20th century in the heart of Western Civilization with all of its culture, science and sophistication? Look at this in the immediate context of World War II and the Holocaust, as well as the larger context of European and world historical development over the preceding centuries.
2007-04-07 15:59:31 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Evil knows no time period. The more sophisticated the people, the more sophisticated their weapons. Haven't you noticed that? Sad isn't it?
2007-04-07 16:04:31 · answer #1 · answered by teacupn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course the book didn't happen, but his experiences sure did.
There are some great answers already here - I just wanted to add a bit. Communication was nothing like it is today. You didn't have reporters on the front line with video cameras and cell phones talking to an audience as a shell explodes nearby or satellites offering pictures of bomb stricken areas or camps where soldiers are training for combat. Propaganda was a HUGE tool for the Nazis. Not only that, no one wanted to see what was happening. Check out Mr. Wiesel himself - when an older man returned to Wiesel's town/village and told them of the dangers, no one believed him or they figured it wouldn't come their way, but they weren't far from the hell growing in Europe. By the time they understood, it was much too late and they became victims as well.
And what of human nature? We're more sophisticated today. Just think - we've been working on weopons to kill people but leave buildings standing; we're going to have robots to hunt the enemy down; and I'm pretty sure you can shoot someone from quite a distance with great accuracy. There are better torture devices, better modes of attack, and better ways to destroy.
And now I'm getting philosophical, but this sounds a bit like an essay question, so I hope you'll forgive me.
2007-04-07 17:11:26 · answer #2 · answered by Isthisnametaken2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's amazing to contemplate, isn't it? It gets even stranger when you consider that Germany was, arguably, one of the most civilized countries in the world before WWII. Look at the myriad contributions made to all walks of life, from the arts to hard sciences to philosophy that have been made by Germans. Winston Churchill even commented during WWII that they were among the cultural elite of Europe.
I guess what it shows is that man, despite his lofty ambitions and actions, is still able to sink to the level of feral animals with relatively little provocation. Actually, that's incorrect. Animals don't act from cruelty, or with a plan. They act on instinct. What happened during WWII, and the atrocities that still occur today, are not instinctual, or accidental. They are deliberate. And that should scare the hell out of any sensible person.
2007-04-07 16:50:50 · answer #3 · answered by Bronwen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it happened because the world especially Europe was still recovering from world war I and wanted to avoid another war and believed everything Hitler was saying just to avoid a war unfortunately Europe wanted to avoid a war so bad that when world war II did it happened it went really too far and they did not even think that Hitler took all these people; Jews homosexuals and anyone he disliked into concentration camps until the end of the war when all the people who survived were found....also Europe wanted to avoid a war so bad that they missed all the warning signs Hitler gave them like taking over countries not giving Jews the same rights punishing Jews for no reason.. i know its hard to believe something like that could happened in such a modern era but Europe just had enough to deal with after WWI and America did not want to mess in Europe any more
2007-04-07 16:48:44 · answer #4 · answered by Israelichick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because refined cultures, science and sophistication often generate neuroses as well. it happened in mid 20THC because that is when Hitler and the Nazis rose to power. remember other equally horrendous occurrences took place earlier in Europe such as invasions by the vikings, the rise of napoleon, the excesses of roman empire, etc
2007-04-07 16:11:48 · answer #5 · answered by ari-pup 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It happened during WW2 - That is clear. How could it have happened? Ask Mr. Wiesel since it happened to him. Pax - C.
2007-04-07 16:07:10 · answer #6 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was WWII and the Nazis hid behind the science of Eugenics...........
humans are capable of terrible things, despite culture, science, etc..........
Since WWII the world has seen mass genocides, wars, torture.
2007-04-07 16:13:00 · answer #7 · answered by Dani G 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋