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What are some factors that attempt to explain the holocaust

User Theprof
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Final answer:

The Holocaust was a genocide that targeted millions of Jews and other victims. Factors such as anti-Semitism, political climate, propaganda, lack of intervention, and the organizational efficiency of the Nazi regime contributed to its occurrence.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Holocaust, which occurred during World War II, was a genocide that targeted six million Jews, as well as millions of other victims, including Romani people, disabled individuals, and political dissidents. Several factors contributed to the occurrence of the Holocaust:


  1. Anti-Semitism: Deep-rooted anti-Semitic beliefs, prejudice, and discrimination against Jews had existed in Europe for centuries. These beliefs were exploited and intensified by Nazi propaganda, which portrayed Jews as subhuman and responsible for Germany's problems.
  2. Political climate: The rise of Nazism and Adolf Hitler's pursuit of an Aryan master race created a favorable environment for the implementation of genocidal policies. The Nazi regime manipulated the German population's fears, economic hardships, and nationalist sentiments to gain support for their extreme ideologies.
  3. Propaganda and indoctrination: The Nazis conducted a systematic propaganda campaign to dehumanize Jews and create a climate of hatred and indifference toward their persecution. Indoctrination of the German population, particularly through Hitler Youth programs, further solidified support for Nazi policies.
  4. Political apathy and lack of intervention: Many countries, including the United States and other Allied powers, failed to intervene effectively despite growing knowledge of the Holocaust. A combination of political indifference, anti-Semitism, isolationism, and fear of economic repercussions contributed to the lack of action.
  5. Organizational efficiency of the Nazi regime: The Nazi bureaucracy and its systematic implementation of detailed plans allowed for the efficient deportation, concentration, and extermination of millions of people. State-sponsored institutions, such as the SS and concentration camps, played crucial roles in carrying out the genocide.

User Kennu
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There are 2 psychological experiments that are very interesting that you should look up. The Stanford prison experiment and one about giving electric shocks. These have been used to explain why the German people, who otherwise were not evil did what they did

User Yshahak
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