Summary 10 - Was the war responsible for the Holocaust?

Question 1

Give evidence which suggests that the war led to the Holocaust?

Answer 1

Nazi victories in the war meant that many more Jews came under Nazi control.

Question 2

Why did the war allow the Nazis to adopt more radical policies towards the Jews?

Answer 2

The war removed the concerns of illegality and international opinion.
The war also increased the amount of patriotism and it meant that ordinary Germans were even less likely to question the actions of the regime.

Question 3

How did the stalemate in Russia alter Nazi aims towards the Jews?

Answer 3

The stalemate in Russia meant plans for mass emigration were no longer viable.
This meant that policies towards the Jews became more radical.

Question 4

Why did the war mean that the Madagascar Plan could not be implemented?

Answer 4

The Nazis failure to defeat the British meant that ships escorting Jews to Madagascar would have been intercepted by the Royal Navy.