A Short History of Anti-Semitism in Germany
The Second World War has left an unmistakable impression on the whole of Europe that will never be forgotten. Whether visible to the naked eye, or hidden in the consciousness of its people, the war has scarred Europe indelibly. Historically, the foremost recognizable perpetration against Europeans was Adolf Hitler's "Final Solution to the Jewish question". This sophisticated operation of systematic mass execution was calculated, organized, and carried out with such horrifying efficiency that only a madman could have been responsible for such an act, and Hitler was indeed mad. However, Anti-Semitism had been long a part of German history, and this religious intolerance had its roots firmly planted long before the rise of the Third Reich. Although the sheer magnitude of the loss of life during the holocaust is simply impossible to grasp, these horrors were the culmination of generations of anti-Semitism, brought to the boiling point by the decision of one power-crazed man. Dating back several centuries, anti-Semitism was prevalent throughout Germany barring rare instances where communities were tolerant religiously or socially of Jewish inhabitants. However, the
Source: "The Germans" by Gordon C. Craig, Meridian Publishing, New York City, 1983. Centuries of anti-Semitic sentiment and action were propagated in the land that is now Germany. However, the actions of history's most recognizable demon would result in the extermination of millions of lives. These people were not war criminals, spies, military prisoners, or resistance fighters; they were simply people who had been struggling for generations to acquire religious freedom and autonomy. The 20th century's most heinous offense would be perpetrated against a people who, like Walther Rathenau, were murdered because they were guilty of being Jewish. By the 20th century, anti-Semitism was sprouting in Germany in a much more violent fashion, as right wing popularity would reach a fevered pitch. Jewish scientist, philosopher, politician and businessman Walther Rathenau served Germany in World War I as a supplier and administrator of raw war materials. After the war, Rathenau sought out to change some of stipulations of the Versailles Treaty. His goal was to gain the help of western powers in hopes of forming a stronger, more unified Germany. His savvy as a political mind so
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Approximate Word count = 797
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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