Arts , Humanities & Social Science

Abstract

Some holocaust scholars have argued that the Germans and those who were allied with German fascism, tortured and murdered Jews, Roma, Clergy and Intellectuals with zeal because they were subjected to economic depression, the repercussions of the Treaty of Versailles Treaty and virulent anti-Semitism for generations before Hitler became leader of Germany. These scholars do not claim that Germans, practiced genocide because of fanatic nationalism, or due to overwhelming psychological and social pressure. These scholars point to historical precedents for anti-Semitism or to covert operations amongst the axis powers. This theory asserts that Germans enthusiastically embraced Nazi philosophy because that actually believed genocide of the Jews was a necessity. Many scholars argue that it was not Hitler’s specific intention to kill Jews, Roma, intellectuals and clergy but rather the almost natural consequences of prolific and widespread anti-Semitism whose rudimentary basis was faux racial theories that permeated all branches of government and all social and economic classes and religions throughout Europe that laid the foundation for extermination and the Shoah. This paper will examine the theories that have no basis in fact and in particular address scholars who are known as intentionalists.