The Persecution of the Jews (Part 4 of 14)
Nazi Conspiracy & Aggression
Volume I Chapter XII
[Page 984]
4. THE PROGRAM FOR THE COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF JEWRY At this point the gradual and mounting campaign against the Jews was prepared for the achievement of its ultimate violent ends. The German people had been indoctrinated, and the seeds of hatred had been sown. The German state was armed and prepared for conquest. The force of world opinion could now safely be ignored. Already the Nazi conspirators had forced out of Germany 200,000 of its former 500,000 Jews. The Nazi-controlled German state was therefore emboldened, and Hitler in anticipation of the aggressive wars already planned cast about for a provocation. In his speech before the Reichstag on 30 January 1939, Hitler declared:
"If the international Jewish financiers within and without Europe succeed in plunging the nations once more into a world war, the result will not be the Bolshevization of the world and the victory of Jewry, but the obliteration of the Jewish race in Europe." (2663-PS)
The chief editor of the official organ of the SS, the "Schwarze Korps," expressed similar sentiments on 8 August 1940:
"Just as the Jewish question will be solved for Germany only when the last Jew has been deported, so the rest of Europe should also realize that the German peace which awaits it must be a peace without Jews." (2668-PS) Other officials of the Party and State voiced the same views. Rosenberg wrote for the publication "World Struggle," which in the April and September 1941 issues declared: "The Jewish question will be solved for Europe only when the last Jew has left the European continent." (2665-PS)
Hans Frank entered this apologetic note in his diary:
"Of course, I could not eliminate all lice and Jews in only a year's time. But in the course of time, and above all, if you will help me, this end will be attained." (2233-C-PS)
A. Registration. The first step in accomplishing the purpose of the Nazi Party and the Nazi-dominated state, to eliminate the Jew, was to require a complete registration of all Jews. Inasmuch as the anti-Jewish policy was linked with the program of German aggression, such registration was required not only within the Reich, but successively within the conquered territories. For example, registration was required, by decree, within Germany (Reichsgesetzblatt Part I, 1938, page 922, 23 July, signed by Frick); with- [Page 985] in Austria (Reichsgesetzblatt, Volume 1, 1940, page 694, 29 April); within Poland (Kurjer Krakowski, 24 October 1939); in France (Journal Official No. 9, page 92, 30 September 1940); in Holland (Verordnungsblatt, No. 16, 10 January 1941, signed by Seyss-Inquart).
A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust
Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology,
College of Education, University of South Florida © 2005.