The Uniqueness of the Shoah (The Holocaust)
by The following is a paper that was originally written for my class dedicated to the study of the Holocaust. This class has greatly impacted my view of the events and I would like to share some of the things that I have learned along the way.
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Conflict, conquest, and death have been repeated themes throughout the history of man. People have killed others for food, land, oil, and civil rights. The end goal is ultimately for national or self gain. The events that occurred in the Shoah do not fit into any of the criteria mentioned and worked for a goal that is truly evil. The Shoah is a unique period in man’s history that cannot be compared to anything else.
Hitler’s plan for the Jewish people was completely irrational. This “conflict” that he created did not serve any military, territorial, monetary, or political purpose. The ideological motivation behind Hitler’s actions was something that had not been seen to this extreme before. It was unlike any previous persecution experienced by the Jewish community. He targeted a specific people for complete annihilation from the face of the Earth. Hitler’s goals for the Jews were global and final.
One of the more stunning facts about the Shoah was that Hitler put his goals ahead of the goals of his country. While Germany was fighting against other nations, his main focus was eliminating as many Jews as he could as quickly as possible. He even operated his death camps at the direct expense of the war. He stated that winning the war without killing every Jew would only be a partial victory. Hitler’s focus was not on those who opposed his goals. His focus was on completing his goals to absolute completion.
The Shoah is so unique that a word had to be created to fully describe it. The intended genocide of the Jewish community was something that was meticulously planned and executed. Jews were denationalized, dehumanized, and stripped of anything that could be used for personal identity. It was only after this that Hitler could begin his epic murdering rampage. He didn’t just attack the lives of the Jews. He destroyed their reputation, culture, livelihood, and personhood.
The most unique aspect of the Shoah is how Hitler’s dehumanization of the Jews actually worked on a global scale. As Jews tried to flee Hitler’s power, they found that they had nowhere to turn to. The propaganda and anti-Semitism created by Hitler had penetrated every corner of the world. Nobody wanted the Jewish refugees entering their country. Through the acts of indifference and ignorance nations around the world played a critical part in fulfilling Hitler’s goals.
The Shoah is a moment in history that should never be forgotten. It is important to remember those who suffered and died under the hands of the Nazi party, but it is even more important to know how these events unfolded throughout time. This tragedy may be unique, but that does not mean it cannot happen again. The world needs to keep a watchful eye on its leaders to ensure that a man with ideologies that mirror those of Hitler do not rise to the level of power that was previously seen. We must all pray that this event remains in the past and does not become a part of our future.
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