Response Paper Post War A History Of Europe After 1945

Response Paper: Post War: A History of Europe after 1945

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Response Paper 1

Response Paper

1. What exactly does Judt mean he writes that “Holocaust recognition” is the

“contemporary European entry ticket”? What, according to Judt, are the

consequences (within the European Union) of a nation either denying that the

Holocaust happened or denying that their nation took part in the Holocaust?

The holocaust forms an important part of European history that one needs to understand for a

better comprehension of the traumatic events of World War II. As one of the major

occurrences in the continent, denying its existence seems as an insult to the victims and their

families.

2. I like Judt’s article; I find it well researched and well written. However, I am

skeptical about ‘patting Europe on the back’ simply for acknowledging the

realities of the Holocaust. After everything we have thought about this

semester—colonialism, racism, genocide, nationalism, etc.—why should we be

wary of the claim that Europe’s ‘humanity’ has been ‘restored’ in the wake of

the Holocaust? (HINT: There is no ‘right’ answer here. I simply cannot help but

contrast Judt’s essay with the anti-immigrant sentiment sweeping Europe and

America as we speak.)

In his writing, Judt seems to acknowledge that accepting the committed wrongs during the

holocaust is a step forward for Europe in influencing reconciliation for the affected.

Considering the nature of the occurring murders, the nations need to do much more than just

to accept the circumstances. The planned massacre wounded many European Jews, and much

needs to be done to foster better relationships.

Response Paper 2

3. Did the Holocaust end (immediately) with the end of World War II? What forms

of injustice did Jews face as they returned to their home countries after being

imprisoned in Nazi labor and death camps?

With the end of the holocaust post the World War II, many of the Jews occupying Europe

found it rather difficult getting along with others particularly due to racial and religious

discrimination. For many, they were an oppressed and disliked minority.

4. What is Judt telling us about the Holocaust as a Europe-wide phenomenon? In

other words, were the Germans alone responsible for the Shoah (Holocaust)?

While the holocaust seemed an affair aimed at protecting the racial purity of the Germans,

other European nations like France and Switzerland also participated through siding with the

Nazi during the onslaught.

5. What forms of resistance did Primo Levi face as he attempted to find a publisher

for his masterwork, Survival in Auschwitz?

Many Jews found it rough, causing others like Primo Levi to pen down experiences in the

masterpiece Survival in Auschwitz. Finding a publisher for the writing was however difficult

since none were willing to hear of the challenges faced by the afflicted group.

6. If one examines the text on pp. 808, it becomes clear that Europeans had (at

least) two (if not more) reasons for sheltering themselves behind a veil of

‘collective amnesia’ after the Holocaust. What were these reasons?

Given the events of that time, many Europeans chose to forget collectively as it reminded

them of every misdeed occurring during the period. Besides this, speaking repeatedly about

the events would disrupt the peace the post-war society acquired and thus, shake the existing

bonds.

Response Paper 3

7. According to Judt, Germans largely avoided admitting their role in the

Holocaust between 1945 and the late-1950s. How and why did this change near

the end of the 1950s?

Even after the attack on the European, some countries found it difficult to admit their

voluntary participation during the holocaust. For Germany, it came to admit its misdeed in

the late 1950s, and even sparked reconciliatory meetings with the affected nations.

8. For nearly forty years after World War II, Judt writes, the Swiss “basked in

their clear conscience and the envious admiration of the world” for not having

taken part in the Holocaust. What finally led the Swiss to acknowledge their role

in the Holocaust?

While history depicted Switzerland as a haven of peace where the persecuted could run to, it

later became evident after a conducted investigation that they were just as actively informed.

With all these evidence in play, it became important for the Swiss to acknowledge their

participation by denouncing their clean reputation.

9. Why, according to Judt, were the French unable to argue that the murder of

French Jews was simply the result of top-down orders issued by the Nazis during

the German occupation of France (1940-1944)?

As the war progressed, majority of the fleeing German Jews found comfort in France where

they settled peacefully. After changing the immigration laws and coming to an agreement

with Germany in June 1940, the country exposed its immigrants to the Nazi once again; thus,

more deaths. With this in mind, it is impossible for France to blame the top-down orders

issued by the Nazis as the main factor contributing to the holocaust in 1940-1944.

10. Judt warns us that we should be careful to not gratuitously celebrate European

acknowledgement of the Holocaust. What, counterintuitively, are the risks

Response Paper 4

associated with nearly every European nation admitting complicity in the

Holocaust?

While many European nations come accepting their participation in the holocaust, it appears

as though a whole continent conspired to participate in the eradication of a single race, the

Jews.

11. Judt makes an admirable effort to trace Holocaust memory (or lack thereof) in

the post-1945 Soviet bloc. How did nations throughout Communist Europe (like

East Germany and Poland) process the horrors of 1939-1945? How exactly might

we define Judt’s term ‘comparative victimhood’?

Both East Germany and Poland underwent tough economic times especially given that many

of the manufactured trucks seemed outdated and could not support the Nazis effectively.

While East Germany suffered, others in the soviet bloc seemed to reap largely as the minerals

in their possession seemed to result to a higher value when in finished form.

12. How and in what ways was “Russian memory divided” on the subject of the

Holocaust?

During the holocaust, Russia experienced its special challenges leading to many of its

residents regretting its participation by joining NATO. For the older citizens, the country in

their view, had disintegrated and lost its authoritarian rule. For this reason, they would not

exactly be at par in matters relating to the holocaust.

13. What role in Western Europe have plaques, memorials, and museums played in

forcing Europeans to come to terms with the Holocaust?

Response Paper 5

By establishing memorials, and museums, the European nations hope to use history to

prevent the occurrence of any similar atrocity in the future. In this, the essence is to ascertain

a continued peaceful coexistence within the contemporary society.

14. Read the last full paragraph on page 829 very closely. Why is memory “a poor

guide to the past”? In other words, why do we absolutely need history as

counterbalance to memory?

While those living at that time may remember the exact events, future generations may only

hear twisted stories said depending on the perspective of the offender or the offended.

Recorded history gives the exact events without any alteration.

15. What exactly does Judt mean when he writes that at least some level of

“forgetting is the necessary condition for civic health”? Is he advocating for

collective amnesia? If not, what is he arguing?

While forming a part of history, it is also necessary to forget these events, as it will ensure

that people associate freely in the future without fear. The inability to spark hate amongst the

citizens helps in preventing further genocides and episodes of racism.

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Response Paper Post War A History of Europe after 1945

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