Holocaust Essay, Research Paper

It is amazing how the influence of one man, Adolf Hitler, could control the minds and ethics of a complete nation. The prejudice and hate that dwelled inside of him, killed an entire group of individuals. The Holocaust is the most horrifying crime against humanity of all times. Hitler, in an attempt to establish the pure Aryan race, decided that all of the mentally ill, gypsies, non supporters of Nazism, and Jews were to be eliminated from the German population. In January 1941, in a meeting with his top officials, the ‘final solution’ was decided. The Jewish population was to be eliminated.

Adolf Hitler felt that the collapse of the economy and the government were linked to the Jews because they were a convenient group to blame. In order for Hitler to achieve his goals, he needed the approval of the German citizens. The support of the German citizens was essential for a mass killing of that magnitude to occur, and in order to obtain their support, Adolph Hitler had prove to them why the Jews are the cause of all their problems. This was proven through the use of propaganda and powerful speeches. Due to theses tactics Hitler was able to prove his point to the masses. In a time of extreme weakness in Germany, he was able to grab these helpless individuals and make them believe that the Jews were an inferior race and that only through their destruction could the Germans once again become a powerful and great people. The Holocaust was the extermination of six million Jews by the Nazis and their contributors, and practically all segments of German society participated in the destruction process.

Although the Holocaust occurred many years ago the Jewish community still feels the pain and hardships experienced during the Holocaust. Many psychological effects caused by the Holocaust forever changed the way the Jewish people view the world and themselves. The Jewish people have been scarred for generations and may never be able to once again associate with the rest of the free world. Further, these scars have now become the looking glass through which the survivors and their children view the world. Some survivors are scarred so deeply they can not escape the past feelings and images of terror; this is called Survivor Syndrome. A survivor is one who has encountered, been exposed to, or witnessed death, and has himself of herself remained alive. The symptoms affected not only survivors, but their families as well. The survivors had thoughts of death, nightmares, panic attacks, and various other symptoms. There were also many feelings of guilt for having survived when others had not.

I fell the only solution in preventing another horrific crime, of this magnitude, is through an organized program of education. This is so we can be sure that people will not forget the consequences, and so we might, in this way, prevent another Holocaust from occurring. With ongoing programs about the Holocaust and the establishment of Holocaust departments in schools and Holocaust museums we are also letting the entire world know and remember that millions of innocent people were murdered in the tragic killing, that we call the Holocaust.

Prejudice was the main factor that led to the Holocaust. For some, resisting these forms of cruelty was survival. Considering the dehumanizing the Nazis had forced upon the Jews, people took whatever courage and strength they had to get through this period of time. By resisting the Nazis the Jews never gave up on their religion and faith in Judaism.

Although Adolf Hitler is often perceived as the chief perpetrator in the Holocaust, however there were others. Perpetrators were not only Nazi party leaders, but also doctors, engineers, lawyers, police, railroad employees, scientists, military officials, salesmen, and civil servants. I feel that Hitler was prejudice against the Jews because he was jealous of their faith in religion and financial stability. This jealousy caused him to vent his frustrations through violence. Through powerful influence he was able to receive support from respected people in the country. However, these people were regarded as perpetrators. This meant that they helped Hitler commit the various crimes and violent acts against the Jews. I feel that people did this because they feared Hitler and his authority. If they objected his views and opinions they may be put to death. To save their own lives the perpetrators listened and followed the hateful views of Adolf Hitler, against the Jews. I feel that prejudice and hate effects everyone. It has improved since the Holocaust, when the Nazis controlled Europe, but still exists. Preserving the memory of the Holocaust not only supports Jewish education but shows what tragedy and destruction can come out of prejudice.