1. On the night of November 9, 1938, a large party of Nazi’s had invaded Jewish businesses, burned synagogues, and murdered 91 Jews. Thousands of synagogues and religious artifacts were destroyed. Over 30,000 Jewish men, husbands, and fathers were sent to the first concentration camps. This night would forever be known in history as Kristallnacht, the crystal night. The Nazi party have been slowly progressing in their efforts to discriminate and seclude the Jews since the Roman times. With this recent advancement, the country does not know what is in store for the Jewish community. Many believe that the event was justified due to a shooting of a German diplomat by a 17 year old boy.
2.The effects of Kristallnacht caused the kick off of the holocaust, especially the genocide of the Jewish people. This event is important because it is where the rounding up of people, the mass murders, and the devastation which would carry on for generations.
I think that pieces like this were targeted for destruction because it allows the Jewish people to have a sense of hope, that their artifacts and religious models would survive and their religion would survive. The purpose of a genocide is to wipe out a race, along with it the artifacts and art. The objects had a spiritual meaning to the Jews as well making them a target. On the other hand, he feels that if the person is not in immediate danger, or is not being physically harmed that the person who is the bystander has no legal obligation to help. I completely disagree with his statements. I believe that if you were to witness any sort of harassment or assault that it is your obligation to help that person, without it being a legal obligation.
4.While there were some people who did intervene during Kristallnacht, many people did not. Based on the two articles, why do you think so many people remained as bystanders?
I believe that many people had remained as bystanders because the severity of the situation might have or most likely would have resulted in their death and possibly the death of the one they were trying to help in the first place.
5. In the video, the man discusses a doctor in Germany. Do you think the doctor was a bystander? Why or why not? Should he have done more to help Jewish individuals?
The doctor was not a bystander because while he wasn’t protecting and hiding people per say, he was helping to transport items which meant a lot to many Jewish people to preserve their religion and also their family history.
Hope this helps!
