do germans were agree as what hitler was doing to jews?

 The attitudes of Germans towards Hitler's policies, particularly the persecution and extermination of Jews, varied significantly during the Nazi era. It’s important to understand the context and the complexity of public opinion at that time. Here are some key points:

Propaganda and Indoctrination

  1. Nazi Propaganda:

    • The Nazi regime used extensive propaganda to dehumanize Jews and portray them as enemies of the state. Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of Propaganda, orchestrated a massive campaign to spread anti-Semitic ideology through newspapers, films, radio, and public speeches.
  2. Education:

    • The Nazi regime indoctrinated young people through the education system and organizations like the Hitler Youth, instilling anti-Semitic beliefs from an early age.

Public Awareness and Perception

  1. Awareness of Policies:

    • Many Germans were aware of the discriminatory laws and the social exclusion of Jews (e.g., the Nuremberg Laws of 1935). However, the extent to which they knew about the full scale of the Holocaust (the systematic extermination) varied. Knowledge of concentration camps and ghettos was more widespread, but many did not know the details of the mass killings.
  2. Complicity and Indifference:

    • Some Germans actively supported or were complicit in Nazi policies, whether out of ideological agreement, fear, or a desire to benefit from the persecution (e.g., acquiring Jewish property). Others were indifferent, possibly due to fear of retribution or a sense of powerlessness.
  3. Opposition and Resistance:

    • There were also Germans who opposed the Nazi regime and its treatment of Jews. This opposition ranged from quiet dissent and helping Jews in hiding to active resistance movements like the White Rose group, which distributed anti-Nazi leaflets.

Fear and Repression

  1. Gestapo and SS:

    • The Nazi regime used fear and repression to maintain control. The Gestapo (secret police) and the SS (Schutzstaffel) monitored and brutally suppressed any dissent. Fear of arrest, torture, and execution discouraged open opposition to Nazi policies.
  2. Denunciation Culture:

    • The regime encouraged citizens to denounce each other for anti-Nazi behavior, creating a culture of suspicion and fear that further stifled dissent.

Post-War Reflections

  1. Denial and Rationalization:

    • After the war, some Germans claimed ignorance of the Holocaust, while others justified their actions or inaction by claiming they were following orders or feared for their own safety.
  2. Guilt and Responsibility:

    • The post-war period saw a complex reckoning with guilt and responsibility. The Nuremberg Trials held key Nazi leaders accountable, but the broader process of denazification and confronting collective guilt was uneven and took many years.

Summary

The attitudes of Germans towards the persecution of Jews under Hitler were varied and complex, influenced by propaganda, fear, indoctrination, and individual moral choices. While some actively supported or were complicit in Nazi policies, others opposed them at great personal risk. The overall response ranged from enthusiastic support and passive compliance to fearful acquiescence and active resistance.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

is USA goverment under control of aliens?

canada student visa requirement

what to do if you loose money to a scammer