Order Description
History 2312 Common Essay on Written Communication

SECTION ONE: SOURCES
Please Review the following:
Marrus, The Nuremberg War Crimes Trial 1945-1946
Arendt, Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil
Stuttgart Declaration (https://www.history.ucsb.edu/faculty/marcuse/projects/niem/StuttgartDeclaration.htm)
Martin Niemoller’s Poem FIRST THEY CAME FOR THE SOCIALISTS… (https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007392)

SECTION TWO: INSTRUCTIONS
Create a persuasive essay that fully addresses the questions below.
For questions 1-3 explain the basis of your belief. In other words, why do you believe what you
do? (Ex. Religious belief, ethical belief, family belief, or cultural stereotype)
You may also use examples from the sources listed above to support and/or strengthen your
explanation.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
1. Were the German people as a whole guilty for the Holocaust or just those who actively
supported the Nazi regime?
2. Is the essence of a totalitarian government, like the Nazis, to make functionary pieces in
that government out of the men that comprise it? Does that or does that not dehumanize
them to some extent?
3. In Arendt’s book, why does she believe Eichmann carried out the orders of the Nazi
regime regarding the Final Solution? How did Eichmann himself characterize his
involvement? Do you agree or disagree with their assessment, and why? Please cite
examples to back up your position.
4. Should someone who commits war crime or crimes against humanity be forgiven or
acquitted in court by claiming he or she was just following orders?

SECTION THREE: ESSAY STRUCTURE
Your essay should be 3-5 pages in length, double-spaced, Times New Roman or Arial 12 point
font.
You will need to use MLA in-text citations for quotations, paraphrases, or other information
taken from any sources you use.
Additionally, you will need a separate works cited page for all sources you use in your paper.
The works cited page should be alphabetical by author and should follow the MLA format for
citation.