Kristallnacht was when the Jewish homes, business, and synagogues were ransacked during November 9-10, 1938 when Nazi gangs went into the Jews' houses, shops and etc, destroying their buildings, leaving broken glass behind. Other people did not dare to stand up because they knew the amount of power that Hitler had and some were fearful of standing up and objecting.
The reading of "Taking A Stand" tells about a 12 year old boy Andre, someone that had the courage to leave Germany because he didn't want to take part in the Kristallnacht. During the autumn of 1938 November 9-10 when all Germans should take part throwing stones at the Jewish shops in town. Andre didn't want to take part in it because he had nothing against the Jews. He had to leave Germany with his parents if he didn't take part in it, because other Germans will be against him because he refused to take part in the Kristallnacht, so the next day they left. If I were the Germans there, it would be hard for me to decide whether to go with the flow and take part in throwing stones in the Jewish shops in town, or leave Germany like what Andre and his family did. I think it took Andre a lot of courage to leave Germany, not following the command but going against it. Some others were accepting what had happened and avoided critical reflection. Like Melita Maschmann she tries to force the memory of Kristallnacht out of her awareness, because she couldn't do anything to make it better, but went with the flow. Therefore by just accepting the situation, she became a bystander.
The reading of "Taking A Stand" tells about a 12 year old boy Andre, someone that had the courage to leave Germany because he didn't want to take part in the Kristallnacht. During the autumn of 1938 November 9-10 when all Germans should take part throwing stones at the Jewish shops in town. Andre didn't want to take part in it because he had nothing against the Jews. He had to leave Germany with his parents if he didn't take part in it, because other Germans will be against him because he refused to take part in the Kristallnacht, so the next day they left. If I were the Germans there, it would be hard for me to decide whether to go with the flow and take part in throwing stones in the Jewish shops in town, or leave Germany like what Andre and his family did. I think it took Andre a lot of courage to leave Germany, not following the command but going against it. Some others were accepting what had happened and avoided critical reflection. Like Melita Maschmann she tries to force the memory of Kristallnacht out of her awareness, because she couldn't do anything to make it better, but went with the flow. Therefore by just accepting the situation, she became a bystander.
Goering wanted the Jews to pay 1 million marks for the damage of the Kristallnacht, lots of
people were killed during that time. Many were sent into the concentration camps, some tried to escape but were caught and punished, some died in the camp, about 2,500 people died in camps, very few survived. I think this targeting of Jews on Nov 9-10 ,1938 was really unfair for the Jews, because the Nazi gangs were the ones that made the damage and yet the Jews, the victims had to pay for it. I also think that the Nazis could do this because they became really powerful after Hitler became the leader. It seems that from this point no one could change what Hitler was doing, if anyone stood up they might be sent away and will be punished. If I were one of the Jews in Germany I would really want to leave the country, but I think no other country will be willing to let Jewish in, because of such low quotas, and fear of differences.
Hitler made propaganda focusing on Jews, saying that they were bad and evil people. He and his followers (Goering the Minister of Information) started making posters and films and even targeted school children with school text books telling them that Jews are greedy, repulsive, corrupt, and said that the Jewish were not part of them, the German people. Because the lies were repeated many times slowly people believed it. The Germans seemed to become slowly brain washed, by the propaganda. I have learned not to make decisions simply just because of the situation you are in. Like the Germans they chose Hitler to be the chancellor just because of the situation they are in that time, but when they knew what was going on after Hitler rule, they regretted it but it was too late.
I was shocked by what Hitler was doing to the Jews. How could he put the Jews in that situation, and give them so few rights? He forced the Jews to go the concentration camp, and made them do things they didn't want to. He also made Jews feel alone. He separated them from German people. I am also shocked that Hitler's power grew so fast, that no one was more powerful than him and no one could change what he is doing. I can imagine how sad and shocked the Jewish people would be feeling in that situation. I think they will be feeling ashamed, sad, no part of anything, lonely and a lot more. I feel so bad for them. I think that Jews should be equal like, everyone, not separated and classified by which country you are from and what is your religion.
If I were the German people during that time, I would really want to stand up for Jews, but I don't think I would have the courage to speak-up, because I know Hitler is really powerful to do anything and he will punish anyone that help the Jews. Anyone who did manage to speak up must have been very brave.
Picture link : http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/images/brokewin.jpg
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