Dehumanization and the Holocaust

Study Notes

dehumanization is the process of thinking of someone or something as less than human
dehumanization is what allows for cruelty and genocide to happen
the Nazis dehumanized Jews and other "subhuman" creatures, and this made it possible for them to commit atrocities
dehumanization is a function of a hierarchical model of the universe, and it's used to justify the treatment of certain groups of people as less than human
dehumanization is a product of a belief in a hierarchical model of the universe, and it's used to justify the treatment of certain groups of people as less than human
The Nazis were a group of ordinary human beings who committed horrific crimes during the Holocaust.
The Holocaust was a genocide in which the Nazis killed millions of Jews.
The Holocaust was a result of the Nazis' beliefs about the dangers of Jewishness and their efforts to rid the world of this perceived pestilence.
The Holocaust was a result of the Nazis' efforts to create a "pure" race by eliminating Jews from the world.
The Holocaust was a result of the Nazis' efforts to create a "master race" by controlling the population.
The Holocaust was a result of the Nazis' efforts to create a society in which people were completely obedient to their government.
The Holocaust was a result of the Nazis' efforts to create a society in which people were completely subservient to their government.
The Holocaust was a result of the Nazis' efforts to create a society in which people were completely dependent on their government.

Description

Explore the concept of dehumanization and its role in enabling cruelty and genocide, particularly in the context of the Holocaust and the Nazi regime. Understand how dehumanization contributes to justifying the mistreatment of certain groups of people as less than human, leading to tragic consequences.