Question

Please help me formulate a thesis! D; eek! I have to write a World Religions essay and I chose this topic: Research Jewish history in Europe from the Middle Ages to WWII, and discuss whether or not the holocaust was in the making for over 700 years.

Answer 1

I have researched about the Jewish history from the Middle Ages to World War II, and I have gathered some info for the body paragraphs:

1st body paragraph:
Jewish life in Europe before the Holocaust.

I could talk about how in the Middle Ages, Jews were widely persecuted for being "Christ-killers," exiled by rulers, accused of the black plague and were known as scapegoats to Christian rulers. Plus back then they were known to be money lenders, which were good jobs back then. However, Christian rulers would throw Jews out of their kingdom to solve their money problems.

2nd body paragraph:
Antisemitism

Perhaps, I could talk about the pogroms in Russia (violent riots launched against Jews). Also pogroms were incited by blood libels. Around the 19th century, the Nazi Party compelled Jews to live in Jewish-ghettos, and could not have the freedom to own lands. Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi party gained popularity through disseminating anti-Jewish propaganda.

3rd body paragraph:
The Nazis in 19th century

They had anti-Semitic racial policies for Jews to follow such as they were not allowed to work as civil servants, professors, journalists and artists. German Jews are forced to wear the yellow star, and extermination camps were established. The Nazi Party also believed being a Jew was no longer based on faith but from the "blood".

I'm still blanked out with the big picture I am trying to tell my readers. From what I have written above, my essay could be that the holocaust was in the making for over 700 years due to the life they had to endure. /: Please help. & thank you again!

Answer 2

Nice start. You could add to paragraph two that Anti-Semitism has lived in Germany since Martin Luther. Martin Luther HATED Jews. Books that he wrote like, Jews and their Lies. Hitler devoted a whole section of Mein Kampf, the book he wrote while in prison, and referred to Martin Luther as "...a great warrior, a true statesmen, and a great reformer..."

To the first paragraph you could add that the concentration camps were started by the British during the Boor Wars in Africa (Britain vs. Dutch). It was used as an argument for those put on trail in Nuremberg.

You could add that the Germans believed that they thought they were redeeming themselves from the horrific Treaty of Versailles. But, back to the subject, the Germans saw the Jews as "sub-human" and used that to his advantage. When you had a divided Germany, some who were Protestant and others who were Catholic, they can come together when they have a common "enemy". The Jews. That was a way Hitler saw to that there was no "religious war" between people. Instead, unite them by blood. Blood of the Aryans. Then you can put a larger amount of people into the pool of those who are "true Germans".

There is some information I can give you right now. I've written 100's of papers and will look through them and give you some materiel to work off of. If you're going to use the that it was "In the making for 700 years", you need to start earlier. Martin Luther, Romans, etc. If you need anything, just shoot me a message. Cheers mo chara.

TAL

Answer 3

You also need to think about the spread of Catholicism during the Holy Roman Empire and the laws they made during that time period. Emperors weren't big fans of the Jews either. Be sure to work yourself back far enough to give enough evidence. Cheers

TAL

Answer 4

Glad to have helped (;

Answer 5

I'll definitely take your advice and hopefully you can take a look at my essay when it is done :$ Thank you so much again!!

Answer 6

Aye, just shoot the essay up and it would be an honour to take a look at it. You are very welcome.