long-term forces: economics, politics, government structures, international
relations
Three historical theories about causes of the Holocaust
Intentionalism: Hitler (1889-1945) did it, it was his intent from the
beginning (early 1920s)
Functionalism: it evolved over time because certain groups (elites) pursued
specific agendas ("twisted road")
Structuralism: it developed because of the unique structure of the Nazi
state ("polycratic regime")
3 theories about how Nazism "fits into" German history: Germany's Sonderwege
= Special paths
"Luther to Hitler": origins lie in 16th century
Modernization theory: things started going wrong in 1848
"Driving accident" (German: Betriebsunfall)
a. mistakes began 1930-1933
b. mistakes began 1890-1914
Assignments for next week (topic: contingency—was
"the Holocaust" inevitable?)
Read "The Onslaught" by Saul Friedländer
What is the topic of each of the sections I-IV? (What questions do they
address?)
Look carefully at the endnotes. What are Friedländer’s sources for
each section?
How do they differ? What other sources of information can you think
of?
Due Thursday (bring a draft to class on Tuesday)
Do an internet search on the term Kristallnacht (as described in Rampolla,
p. 37-39)
Select three sites, and for each write a short annotation (see Rampolla
p. 22 for model)
Try to figure out what question it attempts to address or answer.
Note what sources it draws upon, and answer the questions in Rampolla
pp. 20, 17-19.
Select any three primary sources you find on those sites (no more than one
photograph).
For each, answer the questions on Rampolla p. 15