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Two historical schools of thought have emerged regarding the origins of The Final Solution. In 1982, Tim Mason created the intentionalist vs. functionalist debate. The intentionalists argue that it was Hitler’s intention from the beginning to annihilate and exterminate the Jews. The functionalists on the other hand focus more on the structure of the Third Reich. They believe that the Final Solution was decided upon as a final straw.

Each school of thought has different factions. This article looks to examine the different factions and theoretical perspectives of the Holocaust. Each one has a unique point, especially those who argue on both sides. This article tries to examine the main ones, including the revisionists who spurred a neo-Nazi era.

1. Intentionalist-Dr. Hilary Earl:

Dr. Earl is Canadian scholar. She takes a wholly different perspective than her predecessors. In her book The Nuremberg SS-Einsatzgruppen Trial, 1945-1958: Atrocity, Law, and History, she agrees that if there were no Hitler, there would be no Holocaust. By looking at the testimonies of the Nuremberg Trials, she discovered something else and digs deeper into Hitler’s direct role. She argues that many commanders were simply following Hitler’s orders. This was more than apparent in Hans Frank’s and Himmler’s testimonies and diaries.

2. Extreme Intentionalists-David Goldhagen:

Goldhagen believed that the Holocaust was a result of the eliminationist anti-semetic culture of the Germans. He also believed that Germans, especially the common people were enthusiastic and willing to take part in the annihilation. One can read more in his book Hitler’s Willing Executioners.

3. Moderate Intentionalists-Ian Kershaw & Richard Breitman:

Richard Breitman pinpoints Hitler’s direct involvement in the Holocaust to a time period between late 1930s and 1941. He also made reference to Hitler’s 1939 Prophecy Speech. The quote significant to him was “if Jewish financiers started another war then the result would be total annihilation of the entire Jewish race…”

Kershaw was also quick to point out quotes from Joseph Goebbels, the Propaganda Minister during the Third Reich. Kershaw wrote about Goebbels and how he hinted on the Fuhrer’s prophecy coming to light. He builds on Richard Breitman’s theory.

4. Extreme Functionalists-Gotz Aly:

He is a German scholar who in the 1980s believed that the Nazis bought the German people’s support with redistribution of wealth. He also traced the Holocaust to the envy of the Germans in the Third Reich. He believed that the problem originated in the 19th century when German Christians were left out of the modernization. Resentment and inferiority never went away.

5. Moderate Functionalists-Christopher Browning:

Christopher Browning wrote an interesting book called Ordinary Men. In his book, Browning looked at what motivated ordinary Germans to become genocidal. He agreed that ordinary German men were willing to be executioners; however, he also noted their shyness. Many soldiers felt sick, wanted to transfer and hated killing infants. He argues that many men had no choice but to kill the Jewish people.

His work mostly focused on the structure of the Third Reich and did not zero in on Hitler himself.

This list is dedicated to the 6 million Jews and 5 million more who lost their lives in the hands of the Nazis. These films help keep the memories alive and educate the younger population about many historical wrongs. We can still right the wrongs and help change the world and its quality of life.

1. The Pianist (2002):

This film is an adaptation of the autobiography of Wladyslaw Szpilman and is critically acclaimed. At the academy awards, it won awards for Best Director (Roman Polansky), Best Picture and Best Actor (Adrien Brody). The whole movie is about a pianist (Szpilman) who tries to escape death during the Holocaust. He relied mostly on non-Jewish citizens to help him survive deportation and death.

2. Schindler’s List (1993)

This is a biographical film about Oskar Schindlar, a business man who saved the lives of thousands of Polish Jewish people during the Holocaust by employing them in his factory.

Schindler was a war profiteer and Nazi who came into Krakow and bought an army kilt factory after bribing SS and Wehrmacht officials. He employed thousands of Jews in the factory; a decision which ultimately saved their lives. Schindler stuck by this decision, especially in trying times. He is ultimately seen as siding with the Jewish workers making sure they are not sent to Auschwitz. The film won a total of 7 Oscars, 3 Golden Globes and 7 BAFTAs.

3. Defiance (2008):

Daniel Craig stars in this film about 4 Belarussian brothers, who along with 1000s others successfully hide from the Nazis. The movie chronicles the first half of the evasion from Nazis and their struggle to stay alive despite famine, hunger and disease. It was nominated for Best Original Score at the Academy Awards.

4. The Boy in Striped Pajamas (2008):

This is a film based on the 2006 novel of the same name by John Boyne. It explores the atrocities of the Holocaust in the lives of 2 boys: a Jewish boy (Shmuel) and a German boy (Bruno) whose father is a German Nazi commandant. The film revolves around the bond two boys share despite religious differences. The bond both children share will make viewers heart rip with torment. The film was nominated for the British Independent Film Award and at the Chicago and British Film Festivals, despite unclear criticisms.

5. Anne Frank: The Whole Story (2001):

This film is based on the real life diary of Anne Frank, a girl who was tragically murdered in the Final Solution/Holocaust. The film began in 1939 at the beginning of WWII and chronicled the life of Anne Frank until her dying days. The film continued to examine post-war trauma and stories told by Otto Frank, Miep Gies and other Opetka employees. Ben Kingsley (Otto Frank) and Brenda Blethyn (Anne Frank) play outstanding roles in the film. New York Times called this film “undeniably powerful”. It won an Emmy Award for the Best Miniseries.