Holocaust , how can a human do that?

Question

I can never claim to be a fan of modern-day Isreal "being an Egyptian". But when I see pics / read about the Holocaust I just can't stop thinking ; How can a human being with an atom of compassion & mercy in his heart commit these atrocities ?

I mean , it's one thing to be in a war , and absolutely another thing to systematically murder innocent civilians .

Actually , I'm talking of all genocides . Let them be Israelies butchering palestinians , red indian , Nanking Massacre "japanese killing chainese" , Rwandan , Serbian Moslems, hiroshima , Turks killing Armenians ..the list goes on forever.

Still can't sleep at night from the question , How can humans do that?

My heart bleeds for all the victims.

Answer 1

They didn't have any compassion, that is why they did those horrible acts. Most horrible crimes are done in the name of religion, and people can use their faith to all sorts of atrocities.

Answer 2

The Holocaust didn't happen over night , it was something that slowly evolved . I think the longer they were in it the more desensitized people became ... and the guards were pretty much hand picked and trained for it...you don't give someone that kind of job to a nice person . I don't even think the majority of Germany knew what was going on in those camps , i am sure some would be horrified at the cruelty of it . Not to turn it around but how did the united States drop 2 atom bombs on Japanese citizens, knowing innocent children would die a horrible painful death and suffer from disfigurements ? I don't know how we got so bad...
the Rape of Nanking was just as bad as the Concentration Camps in Germany, just better hidden. People can be pretty evil , I don't understand it either .

Answer 3

I think you have to look at the entire picture for this situation. If any reads up on Adolf Hitlers life you'll realize he struggled and never obtained his dreams of becomming an artist, hince Mien Kempf (sp?) My struggle. He was a failure, Germany was in ruins after the first World War. The government wasn't doing much for the people. They needed someone to blame for their loss. Things were very nationalistic back then, and German people wanted to be proud of their country.

Hitler himself has scriptures of his interpretations of the bible. His claims specifically say that he is suppose to exterminate the Jews, gays etc. because of God. It was also a way take complete control over the country (jewish people had control over a lot of Germany). He manipulated everyone around him, used propoganda to convince the masses.

No one knows for sure how many people knew of the actually systematic murder of the jewish and others. In that case, many people simply just follow orders, to do their country proud. It's the way of the military follow orders, or in their case be killed (treason).

You have to realize all the propganda and military training made these people think they weren't human, that they were the cause of everything wrong in their lives and the world woudl be better off with out them. That said they're still awful and lack a moral compass. It just shows how easily manipulated humans can be though.

Even still, there were those that did not approve of this... many german families helped jews (think Ann Frank, she is just a small example). There were A LOT more. Even some people in the military/concentration camps helped the Jews (Schindler's List anyone? true story). They did it in as much secrecy as they could though, because Hitler had such power over the military, he controled everything with an iron fist and if you were caught disobeying him you were as good as dead.

So the short answer would be Fear.

It's much easier to simply comply to ones orders than cause a confrontation, especially when the confrontation will end up with you dead, or in a position similar to theres (working, starved, etc.).

Theres a large amount of reasons and a chain of events that allowed this to happen.

People just don't wake up and lose their compassion and mercy. Something changes them, and in this case it was serious economical depression, propaganda brain washing, and fear of their leader/military. Sometimes people get into deep and when one thing starts, it keeps progressing until you can't get out of it.

I.E. Bush, when he was elected war was probably the last thing on most americans minds, but now they find themselves stuck in a war with a president that less than 30% of them approve of, whos is continually trying to make changes to give himself more power. Now depending on what you believe here, it's very similar, while not directly "genocide" the war is costing thousands of lives both american and iraqi for what many believe to be mostly personal gains (oil/money).

And yet the way the government works there isn't much the American people can do to change it until the next presidential election, and hope that the person that will make the change is elected and then actually holds true to their promises.

Sigh, the world we live in...

Answer 4

You'd be surprised at the capabilities of human atrocities and how capable the average person is to do such a thing when directed.


In the 1960s, Stanley Milgram tested an experiment of his that actually tested how far a person will go, when directed, at inflicting pain on a stranger. Milgram had originally set out to prove that Germans were different, having a chracter flaw that made them much more obedient than the rest. The results are really staggering. For a more basic understanding of what was done and what the results mean read "If Hitler Asked You To Electrocute a Stranger, Would You? Probably" by Phillip Meyer. (http://ecourse.amberton.edu/grad/RGS6036E1/Fourd.htm)

Milgram later published his results in the book _Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View_ in 1974.
Or look up some information on the Milgram experiment. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment)

Another thing that is related but isn't directly stated in the Milgram experiments is Social Distance and mob/herd behavior (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_behavior)

I know wikipedia is not the most reliable or in depth source, but it's definitely a good place to start with information.

In no way are these studies an explanation or excuse for human atrocity but it certainly gives some insight and really makes you question what you yourself are capable of. It's a sad, but true reality, that such acts are not limited to only distinct events but have occurred throughout human history and still continue today. With the advent of technological warfare the social distance is much greater. War was once fought face to face and is now fought from the air and distanced.
[If you read anything I've submitted definitely read "If Hitler Asked You to Electrocute a Stranger, Would You? Probably." It's not long and is very informative]

Barbara L:
I really like your input on the use of propaganda a very integral part in convincing the masses and creating a herd behavior, as well as the information concerning Zionism, Israel, and Palestine. If you ever get the chance watch Frontiers of Dreams and Fears (http://www.itvs.org/frontiers/index.html) I also strongly suggest you read Phillip Meyer's "If Hitler Asked You to Electrocute a Stranger, Would You? Probably." Human obedience is a terrifying thing even in a one on one environment between an individual and one of authority without the use of propaganda or brainwashing.

Mr. Twocrows:
Its nice to see someone speaking about something that is very unspoken of. Like a majority of the contributing answers here I appreciate it, but more importantly I hope everyone else does. But to question why no one fought back isn't just. Genocide, Holocaust, and the Concentration of ethnic, gender, social groups is inexcusable, no matter the circumstances, reasons, or excuses.

The first massive ethnic confinement occurred right here in the United States in 1838 by President Martin Van Buren with the enforcement of the Treaty of New Echota.

The term concentration camp was coined by the British in 1899-1902 in the Boer War. (http://www.boer.co.za/boerwar/hellkamp.htm) The term KONZENTRATIONSLAGER, was used as a mockery/slap in the face to the British for their Concentration Camps of the Boers. Hitler openly spoke of the English camps in South Africa and was a part of his plan for Germany since 1920 (http://www.history.ucsb.edu/faculty/marcuse/classes/33d/33d05/33d05L05Camps.htm).

A not thorough, but list of internment and concentration camps throughout history can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concentration_and_internment_camps

Awareness must be spread of all human atrocities. We must become aware of what we as humans are capable of and the far reaching consequences of such cruelty.

"The pioneers of a warless world are the [youth] who refuse military service" - Albert Einstein

If anyone has questions, or even just conversations, feel free to contact me. I'll probably continue to update this answer as well.

Answer 5

There are men today in high authority that have no compassion. They are in politics, business and in all countries. They use others for gain and could care less if you live or die. Its all a game to them! Many times even on these posts you find heartless SOB's that self justify their position by putting down people constantly. They are heartless, cruel and only measure what they have. They are heady, arrogant and have bloated ego's. Maybe you know some of them!

Answer 6

Go out to dachau or treblinka see the MOUNTAIN of shoes that were worn by several different people, the same shoe recycled.

What I could never understand,
6 million, if HALF were men 3 million, out of that 1/2 were fighting able why didn't they fight back?
Why didn't they even try?

The US cavalry killed way more then 6 million of us, but we at least stood and fought.

As for systematic, remember where hitler got the idea for the camps from?

Answer 7

The Nazis convinced themselves that Jews were not human and therefore could be treated like animals. As a result, their compassion and mercy towards humans was never at question in their twisted logic despite their horrific actions directed at Jews (and Gypsies, and Catholics, etc. etc.)

Most racism and racists acts are justified in the belief that the other group is not human and not worthy of either compassion or mercy.

Answer 8

They have done it throughout the centuries, did you know that when Genghis Khan conquered Muslim cities, he 1st gave them the choice of surrender and they would live, if they did not surrender he would slaughter them all. Afghanistan used to be the richest Muslim area in the world until Genghis Khan destroyed them all for not surrendering, to this day they have not recovered

Answer 9

The holocaust was a bad thing....jewish people had to endure alot...but they are not the only ones with a holocaust....Us indians had the Red holocaust....and there was not just one main person to dictate others (like Hitler).....there were many for us.....from the first time europeans set foot on this continent.......we endured we were....butchered, mutilated,raped,skinned alive,burned, the list goes on.....the so called "Great Leaders" of this country George Washington,Custer,Andrew Jackson,even ole Honest Abe Lincoln....all had a hand in the killing of innocent Indian peope....I bet many do not even believe about lincoln since he is held up in such great standards ....but the truth be told every year on December 26 for the past 20 years As a way to keep the memory alive of the Dakota Indians that were hanged in Mankato on Dec. 26, 1862 ......Dakota runners run to remember that day.....last year there were 100 runners who made the annual trek from St. Paul to Mankato the day after Christmas......The run is done to raise awareness about what happened on that day back in 1862 and educate the public about the Dakota people, ........This was actually a plan to exterminate Indian people from their homes...by President Lincoln and the Minnesota governor back than named Ramsey....originally there were 303 Indian Males set to be hung......why were they going to be hanged?......What brought about the hanging of Sioux Indians in Minnesota December 26, 1862 was the failure "again" of the U.S. Government to honor it's treaties with Indian Nations....... Indians were not given the money or food set forth to them for signing a treaty to turn over more than a million acres of their land and be forced to live on a reservation.........Indian agents kept the treaty money and food that was to go to the Indians, the food was sold to White settlers, food that was given to the Indians was spoiled and not fit for a dog to eat. Indian hunting parties went off the reservation land looking for food to feed their families, one hunting group took eggs from a White settlers land and the rest is history.....Hanged for eggs and because they were trying to feed their families.....and this is just a small part of history for American Indian people......these Animals like the ones I mentioned above....could care less about innocent people....Elders,Men,Woman, Children, and Unborn....to them there is no mercy no compassion....only hate of someone because they were not to their liking.......We had wounded Knee, Sand Creek Massacare and many more dating back before these......We were forced to assimalate and to loose our culture, our traditions, our ways....because they wanted us to become white..... Scalps were sold for a price, men, woman and children.....and there is much more I could put here but ....as for your question for how can a human do that?....these are just a few examples from an Indian point of view.....maybe they were not even human!....they called us savages....but who were the real savages?.....Hilter copied from the likes of custer and jackson......alot of what happened to Jews with Hitler...happened already with Indians ....for any holocaust to have happened is terrible for any people....

Answer 10

First you must make the victims appear less than human. Kinda of like the abortionist calling babies nothing but cell mass.

Answer 11

I think Hitler was insane.. he had twisted views of everything but on the other hand he had a gift of manipulating people. The public had a very small view/idea of what was the reality of it all and what was actually going on. He brainwashed the soldiers, they were still at fault for most of what happened because they committed the acts, but I think most of it was Hitler's insanity and his manipulation.