Language:
English
Year of publication:
1987
Titel der Quelle:
Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
2,2 (1987) 209-220
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Historiography
;
National socialism Philosophy
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
Abstract:
Discusses the problem of the objectivity of the historian, denying the possibility of an "objective" stance. States his own biases: that the planned total murder of a people was an unheard-of catastrophe in human civilization, and because it has happened it can be repeated; and that the Nazi regime was the worst that ever existed. Relating to recent historiography, contends that the Holocaust was neither inevitable nor inexplicable - the murder was committed by humans for irrational reasons that can be rationally analyzed. Examines the Holocaust in relation to similar mass murders, taking issue with Lemkin's definition of genocide. The Holocaust is unique because of the motivation of the murderers. Shows that the racist element in Nazi ideology was derived from antisemitism, and not the other way around. The Nazis believed it was their mission to free Germany, then Europe, and then the world, of the Jews. Mass murder has become a common phenomenon; the importance of the Holocaust lies in its being an extreme example from which one can draw conclusions about the lesser stages of a possible pathology which may be prevented from developing.
URL:
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