Rudolf Hoess: Crimes Against Humanity

Essay by grace1219Junior High, 9th gradeB, October 2014

download word file, 9 pages 0.0

Downloaded 3 times

Grace Wei

Humanities - Niemoller

Ms. Petersen, Mr. Farley

Nov. 8th, 2013

Looking at Rudolf Hoess from the Nuremberg Trial


After the Axis powers lost in World War II, the Nuremberg Trial began. The Nuremberg Trial was an international military tribunal that happened in 1945 in Nuremberg, Germany. Nazi war criminals were put on the stand, and Rudolf Hoess, the commandant of Auschwitz, was one of the defendant witnesses. His testimony in the trial has allowed us to know more about Auschwitz, the largest and most notorious of all the Nazi camps, and Hoess himself. He wrote poetries about the beauty of Auschwitz when he watched 2.5 millions of innocent people dissolve in the gas chamber. He was even proud of how much more humane the gassing process was at Auschwitz compared to Treblinka ("Jewish Virtual Library"). However, by observing his calm testimonies in the trial, he was still a kind man deep in his heart.

When Rudolf Hoess stood trial at Nuremberg, he concluded his testimony by saying he was not a sadistic man and that he had never sanctioned the extermination of the Jews ("The SS men"). He was dedicated to his work by developing new technology when he felt that it was his duty to do so; however, he confessed that what happened to the Jews were his responsibility; he was so loyal to his boss that he neglected the rights of the Jews; he was a caring family man who took care of his children and was supportive of his wife. Although Rudolf Hoess was history's greatest mass murderer, his testimony from the Nuremberg Trial showed that he was a compassionate man because he was responsible as a commandant, as a subordinate, and for his family.

He admitted to originally doubting the morality...