OPERATION BARBAROSSA AND THE ORIGINS OF THE FINAL SOLUTION

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OPERATION BARBAROSSA AND THE ORIGINS OF THE FINAL
SOLUTION

• Omer Bartov

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AIMS

• To discuss the points raised by Bartov in his
  essay.
• To understand Bartovs overall view.
• To produce a summary of his view including
  areas of agreement and disagreement.
• To understand what Bartov thinks about the timing
  of the Final Solution.

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BARTOVS THESIS

• Operation Barbarossa created the mental and
  psychological preconditions for genocide.
• Ordinary soldiers of the Wehrmacht were
  transformed and brutalised.
• It was the actions of these soldiers that
  sustained the Final Solution.

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Barbarossa Orders
By issuing and implementing these orders the
Wehrmacht became deeply involved in the criminal
policies of the regime.
Wehrmacht played a crucial role in genocide

• Occupied enemy territory, allowing SS to act.
• Logistical support, including personnel.
• Participation in operations, eg anti-partisan.
• Murder of Soviet POWs.
• Economic exploitation of USSR deaths.
• Scorched earth policies deaths.

More of Germanys population was responsible than
previously thought hard for people to accept so
it has been ignored.
Also unofficial acts of brutality life was
viewed cheaply on the eastern Front so atrocities
of SS didnt seem too extraordinary.
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Barbarossa had a more brutalising effect on the
troops of the Wehrmacht than any other modern
armed conflict.
Scale of fighting and losses
Cultural differences with the occupied
Geographical and climatic conditions
Untermenschen
Created a Social Darwinist approach to reality
Conflict seen as a primeval confrontation
A situation that allowed genocide
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TASK

• Barbarossa had a more brutalising effect on the
  troops of the Wehrmacht than any other modern
  armed conflict.
• Is Bartov right?
• Use the essay, the laptops and research this
  conflict.
• Find evidence for each of the areas on your
  handout.

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Indoctrination of troops was also important
Conditions of fighting reinforced this
Most young Germans had internalised racial beliefs
The reality seemed worse than the propaganda
A confirmation of Nazi ideological claims which
led to an understanding of SS actions and
assistance in those actions
Evidence from troops letters use pages 125-131
to find examples
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TASK 2

• On a piece of A4 write Bartovs name and
  summarise his viewpoint in one sentence.
• You will continue with this for each of the
  historical essays we look at this term.
• Add another column to your sheet and head it
  timing. When was the decision taken according to
  Bartov?