Summary
The Holocaust was carried out by a wide network of German and non-German participants, involving thousands of individuals across various institutions. Historians debate whether perpetrators were driven by ideology, obedience, careerism, or brutalisation through war, and whether they were ordinary people or exceptional monsters.
- SS and Police Units — groups responsible for mass shootings and deportations. Example: Einsatzgruppen conducted killings in occupied territories.
- Civil Administrators — officials who facilitated logistics and transportation of victims. Example: Railway workers organized deportations to camps.
- Military Personnel — soldiers who provided security and sometimes participated in killings. Example: Wehrmacht soldiers on the Eastern Front.
- Local Collaborators — non-Germans who assisted in various roles. Example: Police and militias in Eastern Europe participated in mass shootings.
- Ideology and Antisemitism — belief system motivating genocide. Example: Daniel Goldhagen's theory of eliminationist antisemitism.
- Obedience and Authority — situational factors influencing behavior. Example: Christopher Browning's focus on authority and conformity.
- Careerism and Conformity — personal gain and peer pressure as motivators. Example: Participation for career advancement or social acceptance.
- Brutalisation Through War — desensitization due to prolonged violence. Example: Soldiers becoming accustomed to brutality on the Eastern Front.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- SS and Police Units
- Civil Administrators
- Military Personnel
- Local Collaborators
- Ideology and Antisemitism
- Obedience and Authority
- Careerism and Conformity
- Brutalisation Through War
Common Confusions
- Confusing ideological motivations with situational factors
- Overgeneralizing non-German participation as uniform
Typical Exam Questions
- Who were the main perpetrators of the Holocaust? SS units, civil administrators, military personnel, and local collaborators.
- What motivated individuals to participate in the Holocaust? Ideology, obedience, careerism, and brutalisation.
- Were Holocaust perpetrators ordinary people or exceptional monsters? Historians debate whether situational pressures or deep-seated ideology were primary.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Understanding of different interpretations of perpetrator behavior
- Ability to evaluate the role of ideology versus situational factors
- Knowledge of the extent and variation of non-German collaboration