Topic Six (0.6): Introduction and Background Concepts for Paper 3: Interpretations Question

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

The focus of Paper 3 is the historiography of the Holocaust. It examines the different ways in which historians have approached and answered questions about:

  • Hitler’s role;
  • the actions of perpetrators;
  • the reactions of victims.

This topic will introduce this course, and some of its key concepts. There are also resources from your textbook and the password-protected sites to Wolsey Hall has subscriptions.

Top Tip Icon.png Top Tip

Please note that you can find the login details to ActiveHistory, the Historical Association and MASSOLIT in General Resources.

Read & Make Notes Icon.png Read

Read pages 1 to 5 in your textbook Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust by Alan Farmer.

Skills Icon.png Tasks

  • Answer the key questions in the margins of the pages you have read in your textbook.
  • Read pages 66 to 69 in the following document – ‘Rethinking the Holocaust’ by Nikolaus Wachsmann:

Download READ – Exploring and Teaching Twentieth-Century History (Historical Association)

What key themes and concerns does the author identify?

  • Complete the introductory worksheet:

Download COMPLETE - Who was Responsible for the Holocaust? (ActiveHistory)

Glossary Icon.png Terminology

  • Make sure you understand all the key terms covered in this topic. 
  • Use the glossary on pages 174 to 176 in your textbook to test yourself.
  • You may like to make flashcards of key terms now, to help you with the course and revision later on.