Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust: (Access to History in Depth)

This title provides a detailed account of the issues and events which led to the Holocaust, and discusses the historiographical interpretations surrounding that event. The book examines anti-Semitism in Europe generally (and Germany in particular) before 1933, the nature of Hitler's rule in Germany and Nazi anti-Semitic policy from 1939 to 1941 (including the Madagascar Plan and the creation of the Polish ghettos) as well as Nazi euthanasia policies during the same period. The volume concludes by exploring the horrendous developments from 1941 onwards and attempts to reach a balanced conclusion by determining who was responsible for the ultimate "Final Solution".

Table of Contents:
Part 1 The Holocaust - the historiographical debates: to what extent was Adolf Hitler to blame?; how responsible were Himmler, Heydrich and the SS?; what was the extent of the euthanasia connection?; how guilty was the German army?; to what extent were the German people responsible?; was European anti-semitism to blame?; did Jews collaborate in their own destruction?; to what extent were America, Britain and the Papacy to blame?; study guides. Part 2 Anti-semitism and Nazism: the roots of anti-semitism; racial anti-semitism; Hitler and anti-semitism; anti-semitism in Germany - 1918-33; Hitler and the nazi state; the SS; nazi terror; nazi propaganda; the racial state; conclusion; study guides. Part 3 Anti-semitism in action - 1933-9: the situation in 1933; 1934 - a year of calm?; the Nuremberg Laws; the calm before the storm - 1936-7; increasing pressure - 1937-8; Kristallnacht; emigration - 1938-9; conclusion; study guides. Part 4 The effect of war - 1939-41: German and West European Jews; the Madagascar Plan; the situation in Poland; Polish Jews; the Polish ghettos; euthanasia; conclusion; study guides. Part 5 The Final Solution - 1941-5: Operation Barbarossa; the Final Solution - the decision; The Final Solution in the USSR; the fate of the German Jews; the start of gassing; the Wannsee Conference; Operation Reinhard; economic considerations; Auschwitz; the end of Auschwitz; other deaths; forced labour in Germany; the situation in 1945; conclusion; study guides. Part 6 Who else was to blame for the Holocaust?: Jewish responsibility; non-German responsibility; Allied responsibility; Papal responsibility; neutral responsibility; study guides. Part 7 Conclusion - German responsibility: Hitler's responsibility; Himmler, Heydrich and the SS; the euthanasia connection; the German army and police; the bureaucracy; to what extent were ordinary Germans to blame?; conclusion; study guides.

About the Author :
Alan Farmer is a successful author of History texts.

Review :
Briefly but very cogently combining a lucid account of the Holocaust with remarkably up-to-date discussion of the major historiographical debates which have arisen, it is also notable for its fairness and balance... this is the best short, general book on the Holocaust now in bookshops. -- History Review This single book is packed with information and stands on its own as providing a very comprehensive account of the Holocaust and the issues surrounding it. Strongly recommended. -- The Lecturer