Lecture Notes on the Holocaust and "Final Solution"

Initial Invasions and Murders

• Invasion of Soviet Union: Germany invaded the Soviet Union, prompting SS and German police to initiate mass murders.
  • Primary target: Jews.
  • Secondary targets: Communist officials and others.
• Murder Stats: By end of 1941, over 800,000 Jews murdered in first 6 months.

Expansion of the Murder Campaign

• Discussion within Nazi Germany: By mid-1941, discussions to include more Jews in the killing initiated.
  • Due to increasing Jewish population under German control.
  • Considered themselves "trapped" with no alternative solutions.

Inclusion of More Regions

• Third Reich Jews: Plans to extend murders to include Jews from the Third Reich.
• Romanian Involvement: Romanian allies began their own killings of Jews in Romania and Ukraine.
• Poland - "Operation Reinhardt": SS General Odilo Globocnik planned the murder of Jews in Polish regions under his influence.
  • Aim: Over two million Jews.

Development of Killing Methods

• Gas Vehicles: Experiments to convert lorries/vans for gas killings.
  • Successful prototypes led to broader usage.
• Chelmno Camp: New camp opened in December 1941, primarily used for gas van killings.

Auschwitz and Gas Chambers

• Zyklon B Experiments: Initiated in early September 1941 at Auschwitz.
  • Originally a pesticide (prussic acid).
  • Successful experiments led to plans for larger gas chambers.

Parallel Developments and "Final Solution"

• Second Half of 1941: Initiation of various methods and planning for comprehensive murder strategy.
  • Shooting, gas vans, engine exhaust murders.
  • Planning to import Jews from across Europe to murder sites.
• Operation Reinhardt Planning: Consolidated actions leading to the formulation of the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question" by end of 1941.