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difference between intentionalist and functionalist schools of history (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter looou
- Start date
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xeuyrawp
Guest
The debate revolves around the Holocaust. There are two parts:looou said:
1. Was the Holocaust planned? If so, how much?
2. Was Hitler the instigator of the Holocaust? If so, how central was he?
Intentionalists argue that 1 and 2 are both true, functionalists argue that the Holocaust was more of a situational thing that occured because of the climate.
MissSavage29
Resident Priss
I remember these arguments all too well - extension history project a couple of years ago.
Just to expand on what PwarYuex said
Intentionalist believe that Hitler gave the orders for the final solution. They believe the evidence suggest that hitler was vocal in planning and giving the ultimate order for teh murder of the jews.
Functionalist on the other hand do not beleive that it was hitler that planned or gave orders for the final solution. They argue that it was the generals and those lower in the chain then hitler that gave the orders for the genocide of the jews. They argue, for lack of a better phrase, that the holocust was done as a means to gane favor with Hitler.
There is a really really good description of the two debates in the introduction to Gerald Flemings book Hitler and the 'Final Solution' (Hamish Hamilton, 1985)It is written by Saul Friedlander who writes alot on the debate. This would be a really good starting point if you wanted a nice and easy summary of the two sides.
Also have alook at Hans Mommsen's writings - especially his essay 'There was no Fuhrer Order' in Donald L Niewyk's book The Holocaust (Houghton Miffin Company 1997)
and
Lucy Dawidowicz book ' The War against the Jews' (Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1975)
They are basically polar oppostes - Mommsen is your functionalist and Dawidowicz is your intentionalist argumnet. THey should provide you with a clear example of the main ideas for the two groups.
Good luck with your project.
If you need any other help (as i know what an exasporating topic this is) feel free to email or pm me
Just to expand on what PwarYuex said
Intentionalist believe that Hitler gave the orders for the final solution. They believe the evidence suggest that hitler was vocal in planning and giving the ultimate order for teh murder of the jews.
Functionalist on the other hand do not beleive that it was hitler that planned or gave orders for the final solution. They argue that it was the generals and those lower in the chain then hitler that gave the orders for the genocide of the jews. They argue, for lack of a better phrase, that the holocust was done as a means to gane favor with Hitler.
There is a really really good description of the two debates in the introduction to Gerald Flemings book Hitler and the 'Final Solution' (Hamish Hamilton, 1985)It is written by Saul Friedlander who writes alot on the debate. This would be a really good starting point if you wanted a nice and easy summary of the two sides.
Also have alook at Hans Mommsen's writings - especially his essay 'There was no Fuhrer Order' in Donald L Niewyk's book The Holocaust (Houghton Miffin Company 1997)
and
Lucy Dawidowicz book ' The War against the Jews' (Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1975)
They are basically polar oppostes - Mommsen is your functionalist and Dawidowicz is your intentionalist argumnet. THey should provide you with a clear example of the main ideas for the two groups.
Good luck with your project.
If you need any other help (as i know what an exasporating topic this is) feel free to email or pm me