There were many different ways that the Germans responded to the Kristallnacht. Each was unique in it's own way and had different effects on the victims of Kristallnacht. In the reading: "Taking A Stand" we heard about three different choices.
One of the choices was to put the event behind them and tried to embrace the new government's antisemitism stance. They were bystanders and just stood by as the Nazi bullies attacked and murdered many Jews. I think that many of the Germans chose this option out of pure fear. Melita Maschmann spoke in the reading of how they slowly adjusted to this as the days, weeks and months went by, they had no choice but to forget and continue their lives, as if it never happened. Many didn't want to risk their lives, or become members in a concentration camp.
The second choice was to cleverly aid the Jews in small acts of kindness, like offering shelter or a place to stay in. But this had to be done very carefully as if anyone ever suspected the people of harboring Jews in their home, the Jews and the host(s) would all be guillotined, murdered or sent to concentration camps. The host(s) would be trialed in court of betrayal to their own country by helping "those filthy Jews". We saw in the video how "well" these kind host(s) were received. They didn't stand anything close to a chance in those courts, as probably all of the judges were faithful followers of the Nazi Party, thankful to Hitler for strengthening their country and establishing a powerful nation.
The following choice was to resign membership to the Nazi Party or to send anonymous letters of protest to foreign embassies. The second part of the choice was fairly safe as it was anonymous and though it voiced complaints and anger and displeasure, nobody knew who was to blame for the letters chock-full of emotion. The first part, however, was very difficult, unless they were to flee to neutral territory as soon as they had resigned, as the Nazi Party were very hard on those who left their allegiance.
The final choice, which was chosen by Andre, who made the decision not to harm the Jew's by throwing stones at them was to flee to neutral territory (e.g. Switzerland). In that way, they were neither helping or hurting the Jews. Which, in my point of view is just as bad as being a bystander. True, he made the wise decision in not harming the Jews, but when he fled it was an act of cowardice, but and act that saved his and his family's life. Though preserving his life was very important; by leaving, he left the Jews to fend for themselves on Kristallnacht. Though many of the people fleeing found that they had done a good deed, it wasn't. By leaving, they became bystanders, but they were watching in a different country.
If I were in that rather difficult situation, I wouldn't announce boldly like the White Rose that I disagreed with the Nazi's political stance on antisemitism. Though it would be tremendously courageous and brave of me, it would only definitely land me in some sort of concentration camp or in the guillotine. The Nazi's didn't appreciate free speech or allowed any threat to stay a threat for too long.
I wouldn't have been able to accept the unjust murders and destroyed property of the Jews. My conscience wouldn't let me sleep at night, though it might have been easier to other, I tend to be easily swayed by my better judgment and conscience. It would be all too easy for me to stress and break apart under the guilt. Instead, I would be discreet and would help those affected by that tragic night by offering food and money to those in desperate need.
And if I didn't do that, I would flee to neutral territory, and make a home and life there spreading news on the despair and tragedy of the persecuted Jews. In the reading, we heard of a German Aristocrat by the name of Molthke who helped by copying the White Rose's papers (which came to a huge use later on, after their untimely deaths) and having them flown over Germany and dropped in cities. I would participate in groups like this and spread word of Hitler's many evils in neutral territories. In hope that they would help overthrow the Nazi Party's widespread influence in Germany.
One of the choices was to put the event behind them and tried to embrace the new government's antisemitism stance. They were bystanders and just stood by as the Nazi bullies attacked and murdered many Jews. I think that many of the Germans chose this option out of pure fear. Melita Maschmann spoke in the reading of how they slowly adjusted to this as the days, weeks and months went by, they had no choice but to forget and continue their lives, as if it never happened. Many didn't want to risk their lives, or become members in a concentration camp.
The second choice was to cleverly aid the Jews in small acts of kindness, like offering shelter or a place to stay in. But this had to be done very carefully as if anyone ever suspected the people of harboring Jews in their home, the Jews and the host(s) would all be guillotined, murdered or sent to concentration camps. The host(s) would be trialed in court of betrayal to their own country by helping "those filthy Jews". We saw in the video how "well" these kind host(s) were received. They didn't stand anything close to a chance in those courts, as probably all of the judges were faithful followers of the Nazi Party, thankful to Hitler for strengthening their country and establishing a powerful nation.
The following choice was to resign membership to the Nazi Party or to send anonymous letters of protest to foreign embassies. The second part of the choice was fairly safe as it was anonymous and though it voiced complaints and anger and displeasure, nobody knew who was to blame for the letters chock-full of emotion. The first part, however, was very difficult, unless they were to flee to neutral territory as soon as they had resigned, as the Nazi Party were very hard on those who left their allegiance.
The final choice, which was chosen by Andre, who made the decision not to harm the Jew's by throwing stones at them was to flee to neutral territory (e.g. Switzerland). In that way, they were neither helping or hurting the Jews. Which, in my point of view is just as bad as being a bystander. True, he made the wise decision in not harming the Jews, but when he fled it was an act of cowardice, but and act that saved his and his family's life. Though preserving his life was very important; by leaving, he left the Jews to fend for themselves on Kristallnacht. Though many of the people fleeing found that they had done a good deed, it wasn't. By leaving, they became bystanders, but they were watching in a different country.
If I were in that rather difficult situation, I wouldn't announce boldly like the White Rose that I disagreed with the Nazi's political stance on antisemitism. Though it would be tremendously courageous and brave of me, it would only definitely land me in some sort of concentration camp or in the guillotine. The Nazi's didn't appreciate free speech or allowed any threat to stay a threat for too long.
I wouldn't have been able to accept the unjust murders and destroyed property of the Jews. My conscience wouldn't let me sleep at night, though it might have been easier to other, I tend to be easily swayed by my better judgment and conscience. It would be all too easy for me to stress and break apart under the guilt. Instead, I would be discreet and would help those affected by that tragic night by offering food and money to those in desperate need.
And if I didn't do that, I would flee to neutral territory, and make a home and life there spreading news on the despair and tragedy of the persecuted Jews. In the reading, we heard of a German Aristocrat by the name of Molthke who helped by copying the White Rose's papers (which came to a huge use later on, after their untimely deaths) and having them flown over Germany and dropped in cities. I would participate in groups like this and spread word of Hitler's many evils in neutral territories. In hope that they would help overthrow the Nazi Party's widespread influence in Germany.
