Holocaust Documentary Script

Riley de Leon

Heil, Joseph. The Final Solution. Austin Holocaust Studies , n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2010.

<http://www.shoaheducation.com/endlosung.html>.

I believe that the main focus of the holocaust is overlooked. People don’t understand that, “Hitlers first and foremost task will be the annihilation of the Jews.” Millions and Millions of Jews. What is the Final Solution? The Final Solution was Nazi Germany’s execution of the genocide of European Jews during World War II, resulting in the final, deadliest phase of the Holocaust. This was also referred to as the most controversial time of the Holocaust.

(Interview with Mrs. Johnson/ Dr. Weir)

The Nazi killing units first went into action in Kaunas, Lithuania, on June 25, 1941 (Heil n.p.). Routine mass gassings later started at Chelmno on December 8, 1941. As historians look back, there have been two primary positions, which focus on when and how the decision to exterminate the Jews of Europe was made.

(Interview with Mrs. Johnson/ Dr. Weir)

First gallows will be built in rows – at the Marienplatz in Munich. (Heil n.p.). Then the Jews will be hanged unknowingly, and they will remain hanging there as long as the principles of hygiene permit. As soon as they have been untied, the next batch will be strung up, and so on down the line, until the last Jew in Munich has been exterminated.

(Interview with Mrs. Johnson/ Dr. Weir)

A second position called the “Functionalist” position declares that Hitler’s initial plan was to relocate all Jews from Germany and German-occupied territory, and perform an extermination. In this position, the decision for total annihilation of the Jews only after deportations did not accomplish the goal they had hoped.

(Interview with Mrs. Johnson/ Dr. Weir)

As Hitler formulated plans for lebensraum (living space) he initially investigated Madagascar for German resettlement, which is now referred to as the “Madagascar Project.” What is not often mentioned is that plans for German resettlement were abandoned due to the potential lack of resources, and the discussions of relocating the Jews slowly died down.

(Interview with Mrs. Johnson/ Dr. Weir)

The “Madagascar Project” never came to completion, as the war stepped up and Operation Reinhard was formed. Later on killing centers worked night and day in genocide, diminishing the German’s need for a Jewish homeland. The holocaust finally ended in May of 1945.