In the horrifying details regarding a mass execution operation conducted by a series of German platoons, one man recalls that "it was in no way the case that those who did not want to or could not carry out the shooting of human beings with their own hands could not keep themselves out of the task."(Browning, 65). Browning indicates that many Germans felt inclined by responsibility to follow the orders delivered though.
Unfortunately, when one piles up the evidence detailed by Browning's research, it cannot be denied that genocide of this nature is always possible. The situation in Germany did not illustrate a uniquely evil nation with historically inclined desires to behave so unfathomably. Nor was it simply a matter of a ruling class intimidating a far larger population of potential free-thinkers. Rather, it was the unfortunate calling of fate that would land
In the face of national crisis, the Germans demonstrated a vulnerability common to nearly all people, who are naturally inclined to defer to governmental wisdom to see them through. It is rather difficult to say who may be the 'next victims' of such catastrophic hatred, as Browning's work dispels preconceived notions about the Nazi's as being produced by an uncommonly violent and hate-filled society.
Works Cited:
Browning, C. (1992). Ordinary Men. Harper Perennial.
Ordinary Men Christopher R. Browning is a history professor at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. His work on holocaust historiography has allowed Browning to contribute to the world's most important compendium of holocaust history at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. The sources used to write Ordinary Men were primary sources only: documentary evidence mainly emerging in the legal trials that ensued. Therefore, the author is well qualified to address the matter
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