KS 4 History - How far can one person be held responsible for the Holocaust?

This film is from the series The Eichmann Show available on BBC Teach.

Due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter, we strongly advise teacher viewing before watching with your pupils.

The televised trial of Adolf Eichmann brought to a global audience many of the previously unknown horrors of the Holocaust.

On 11th December 1961, Eichmann, sitting impassive and unemotional, was pronounced guilty of all charges against him and sentenced to death.

But how far can responsibility for the Holocaust be attributed to Eichmann? Was it right to blame Eichmann for it all?

This short film explores the background to the Nazi paranoia about a Jewish conspiracy to take over Germany and Eichmann’s responsibility for the ‘de-Jewification’ of Germany leading up to World War Two.

Historian, Professor David Cesarani examines the evidence, analysing how Eichmann presented himself as hapless, with no choice, following orders, and it was not for him to question the instructions of the ‘big bosses’.

However, he eventually gave away his personal hatred for the Jewish people under the pressure of cross-examination.

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