To What Extent Did The Armenian Genocide Inspire Hitler's Holocaust - Essay Example

Undoubtedly, Hitler was quite familiar with the Armenian genocide. By comparison, one could arguably say the Armenian genocide was a direct inspiration for him to ignite the Holocaust. Similarities between the two genocides begin with their target minority: both being ethnical and religious minorities and different from their residing nation. Secondly, both target groups were subject to years of prior persecution and unfair governance. Thirdly, both mother nations experienced a radical revolution and rise in nationalism that focused on promoting the well being of the ethnicity of the majority.

Finally, both nations were involved in large-scale wars, which were used as cover ups and excuses for the extermination on their minority races. Whether Hitler directly referred to the Armenian genocide when conducting his own Holocaust is questionable. However, there exists plenty of evidence to suggest that Hitler was very familiar with the Armenian genocide and it inspired him to a certain degree. He was able to observe the reasons, methods, and repercussions of the Ottoman's massacre and weigh them up against his own problems, and in that way, the Armenian genocide could be indirectly attributed to future genocides.

The twentieth century experienced several deliberate mass killings and the attempted extermination of particular ethnic groups, otherwise known as genocide. The precursor for this modernized version of genocide was undoubtedly the Armenian Genocide. Categorized for the methodical “cleansing” methods and brutality, the political position and public intolerance, and predetermined goals, the Armenian Genocide was influential in dictating the genocides to follow – most specifically, the Holocaust.

(Kevorkian 1). The similarities and motives behind both tragedies are numerous. Beginning with state-initiated policies to wipe certain minorities from each respective nation in order to attain resources, land, or to appease prejudiced hatred. Both targeted minorities were used as scapegoats in order to deal with internal, political problems. Both victims were religious and ethnic minorities, with a history of persecution and put in a position of defenselessness. Furthermore, both genocides occurred in a world war, hindering the chances of international intervention.

In this way, this paper will demonstrate that not only was the Armenian genocide the first genocide of the twentieth century, but it was also a template and a prototype for the proceeding genocides. (Rosenbaun 126).