History Common Essay:

SECTION ONE: SOURCES

Please Review the following:

Marrus, The Nuremberg War Crimes Trial 1945-1946

Arendt, Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil

Stuttgart Declaration (Posted in Canvas) Martin Niemoller's Poem (Posted in Canvas)

SECTION TWO: INSTRUCTIONS

Create a persuasive essay that fully addresses the questions below.

For questions 1-3 explain the basis of your belief. In other words, why do you believe what you do? (Ex. Religious belief, ethical belief, family belief, or cultural stereotype)

You may also use examples from the sources listed above to support and/or strengthen your explanation.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

1. Were the German people as a whole guilty for the Holocaust or just those who actively supported the Nazi regime?

2. Is the essence of a totalitarian government, like the Nazis, to make functionary pieces in that government out of the men that comprise it? Does that or does that not dehumanize them to some extent?

3. In Arendt's book, why does she believe Eichmann carried out the orders of the Nazi regime regarding the Final Solution? How did Eichmann himself characterize his involvement? Do you agree or disagree with their assessment, and why? Please cite examples to back up your position.

4. Should someone who commits war crime or crimes against humanity be forgiven or acquitted in court by claiming he or she was just following orders?

SECTION THREE: ESSAY STRUCTURE

Your essay should be 3-5 pages in length, double-spaced, Times New Roman or Arial 12 point font.

You will need to use MLA in-text citations for quotations, paraphrases, or other information taken from any sources you use.

Additionally, you will need a separate works cited page for all sources you use in your paper.

The works cited page should be alphabetical by author and should follow the MLA format for citation.

Poem: First They Came
Pastor Martin Niemoller
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.

Article: The Stuttgart Declaration of Guilt by the Council of the Protestant Church of Germany October 19, 1945.