Ignorance In Nazi Germany Analysis

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What does one do when the beliefs they hold dear are challenged by the very government that is supposed to be protecting them? What about if horrible acts are being committed by the government you are loyal to, but are being kept silent? Does one go against their own beliefs for their government or do they stand up for what they believe in? Is ignorance an excuse for participating in a group that committed horrific crimes against humanity or is everybody responsible for what they do and what they know? In Nazi Germany many members of the party that were simply civilians were unaware of the terrible fate that had awaited their Jewish neighbors and friends. Even members of the army, some as high up as generals, were unaware of the terrible crimes being committed--if they are to be believed. The question that faced prosecutors and juries at many war crime trials was this: is ignorance an excuse for participating in the Nazi party and army when their government was killing millions of people? Answers vary according to different situations but for the majority of people, especially those high in the chain of command, the answer should be no. Ignorance is not an excuse for participation when information was available. Even civilians, who would be less in a position to be informed than those in the army, fought…show more content…
Those who were unaware of the crimes committed by the Nazis were not responsible for their government's actions, such as in the cases of Junge and Knappe. Those who were aware of the crimes committed and were in a position to protest them, but didn't should be held responsible for keeping silent. All of the individuals that kept silent during the Nazis reign allowed the Holocaust to happen. Although not directly responsible, the Holocaust and WWII would not have been possible if so many people hadn't kept

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