Abstract This paper looks at the Nanking-related atrocities and the relationship between the individual soldier and the government in terms of responsibilities assigned for the bloodshed. The writer asserts that the 1937 Japanese slaughter of upwards of 300,000 Chinese in Nanking, China, was as atrocious, savage and bloody as practically any event leading up to and during WWII including the Holocaust by the Nazis. The writer concludes that the responsibility for these atrocities should be accepted by the military leaders but each individual soldier, who was out of control in a savage bloodthirsty rage, also must be held accountable.
From the Paper "The biggest mass killing was carried out in Nanking on December 17, 1937, when the Chinese began slaughtering Chinese prisoners by the thousands. The 66th Battalion of Japanese received this command: "All prisoners of war are to be executed. Method of execution: Divide the prisoners into groups of a dozen. Shoot to kill separately."
"It is known that 14,777 Chinese soldiers had been captured by the Japanese, and of those, a majority was believed to have been killed on the 17th."
Tags: execution, hate propaganda, decapitation contests, barbaric accountable
This paper describes the life of Pope Pius XII (Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli) and questions his motivation in not stopping the atrocities associated with WWII.
Abstract This paper explains that journalists, statesmen, and historians claim that, during World War II, the Pope remained impassive and silent, despite the fact that he knew about the atrocities committed by the Germans. The author reports that, years after he died, it was discovered that the Pope was close to publishing a major encyclical on racism; but the question remains if it was just lost within the bureaucracies, or if it was purposely lost by Pacelli or someone else who did not want to rock the boat. The paper stresses that, finally, on Christmas Eve 1944, when the outcome of the war was decided, the Pope made a statement condemning the war, but not the atrocities.
From the Paper "When he assumed the highest office, Pope XII had to decide what to do with the prior pope's encyclical. "The decision was momentous, because Humani Generis Unitas would finally, and publicly, have the church defend the hounded Jews by explicitly condemning the Nazis" anti-Semitism and calling for the cessation of the German prosecution of the Jews?. Within the report, Pope Pius XI said, ?It becomes clear that the struggle of racial purity ends by uniquely the struggle against the Jews. Save for its systemic cruelty, this struggle is no different in true motives and methods from prosecutions everywhere carried out against the Jews since antiquity."
This paper reviews the book "The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II " by Iris Chang, a condemnation of what happened in 1937, when Japan had invaded China and committed atrocity after atrocity.
Abstract This paper explains that "The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II " by Iris Chang describes events that happened four years before Pearl Harbor, when the Japanese forces destroyed everything in their way in their march to conquer the important areas of China, not so much for a military victory but to crush the state of mind of a people opposed to everything Japanese; the world has never condemned the Japanese nor has Japan apologized. The author points out that the book lacks objectivity and presents a one-dimensional view of both the Japanese "criminals" and the Chinese women victims. The paper relates that, from a historian's point of view, Chang does not delve into the Chinese government's role in allowing this massacre and other Japanese atrocities to happen.
From the Paper "If there is one section of the book where the author spends an inordinate amount of space it is with the lack of responsiveness of the Japanese government to answer charges about the war crimes committed in Nanking. One can see from recent headlines that the Japanese seem loath to do anything about the atrocities committed during the War, including the "comfort women" important from the Philippines and Korea, and other atrocities for which the Japanese government expressed regret, but offered no reparation. She goes into great length about the silence of the soldiers themselves, the rise of many of these war criminals into public life and the private sector and the lack of reparations to the Chinese victims of this Rape of Nanking and other atrocities on the Chinese mainland. Unlike the Germans, for example, who continued to root out suspected Nazis who had taken government and industrial jobs, the Japanese smugly left them alone- as if to say "let bygones be bygones"."
Abstract This paper explains that scholars believe the atrocities, which took place in Nanking, were responsible for a variety of factors that originate deep within Japanese culture, very similar to the concepts within Nazi Germany's culture and their view of a perfect Arian race. Yet, the author relates that, for many reasons, including the U.S. guilt over dropping the atomic bomb, compared to Nazi Germany, Japan faced very little consequences for the horrendous war crimes committed during their occupation of China in World War II. The paper analyzes the rape of Nanking and other Japanese atrocities and compares the proceedings of the International Tribunal of the Far East with that of the Nuremburg Tribunal.
From the Paper "Many internal Japanese historians have proposed the idea that the massacre is still too recent to devote historical study to the event. Still, many Japanese historians who do cover the Rape of Nanking tend to gloss over the significance and levels of atrocities which occurred on the behalf of the Japanese involved. Influential professors, such as Fujioka Nobukatsu of Tokyo University, have publicly stated that the real death tolls were far lower than the Chinese had initially told the international community. Yet, these opinions go without much international protests."
Tags: china forgotten, media coverage, sole responsibility, textbooks
Abstract This paper looks at the pioneer of the reworking of mental health institutions and the opening up of several committees that have aided in providing help for those who have suffered or are sufferers of mental health issues. Clifford Beers' published his book, "A Mind That Found Itself", about his time in the mental health hospitals, it was here that he saw for the first time the atrocities that were being committed against those who were mentally ill. His book is a discussion and expose on the people and methods used. This paper looks at that book and how Beers was accepted by society after the publication of the book, also we look at how society has been affected by the publication of the book.
Abstract This paper presents an exploration of "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Dubois in which he examines the growth and development, not only of the African-American population, but of the nation itself, within the context of African-Americans. It looks at how Dubois uses language and imagery throughout the essay to provide the reader with an understanding that African Americans could appreciate about this country, while at the same time, painting a picture of the subtle atrocities visited upon them.
From the Paper "Dubois uses imagery to present the school he was hired to teach in as well. It is again a peaceful picture of serenity and beauty for a backdrop to what he planned to do with the local students. ? I secured the school. I remember the day I rode horseback out to the commissioner's house with a pleasant young white fellow who wanted the white school. The road ran down the bed of a stream; the sun laughed and the water jingled, and we rode on. (Dubois Chapter four par 6) .
?The schoolhouse was a log hut, where Colonel Wheeler used to shelter his corn. It sat in a lot behind a rail fence and thorn bushes, near the sweetest of springs. There was an entrance where a door once was, and within, a massive rickety fireplace; great chinks between the logs served as windows. Furniture was scarce. A pale blackboard crouched in the corner."
Abstract This paper explains that Lynch Laws and lynching activities lead to the death of tens of hundreds of black men, most of whom were completely innocent. The author points out that Wells used data published by the "Chicago Tribune" showing how many innocent people were lynched each year as a means to make authorities take notice of the atrocities that were being committed under the shelter of Lynch Law. The paper states that the anti-lynching campaign of Ida Wells occupies a very important place in our history because this crusade made people understand the issues connected with racial segregation and discrimination.
From the Paper "She maintained that not all white women were raped; there had been cases in which white women actually had consensual sex with black men, as they liked their company. This was probably the most outrageous comment that anyone had ever made in favor of black men but Wells probably believed in attacking the attackers instead of defending the victims. This attacking approach did work as people started taking notice of the problems associated with Lynch Law. The greatest favor she did to the black race was that she brought forth some ugly incidents of lynching, which most newspapers never published. She presented many such cases in her famous pamphlets now available in book-form titled "Southern Horrors and other writings: The anti-lynching campaign"."
This paper argues the need for Japan to assume responsibility, both morally and legally, for the use of the "comfort women", sex slaves in a systematic, planned system ordered and executed by the Japanese government during World War II.
2,020 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 63.95
Abstract This paper explains that, until recently, the Japanese government has been able to deny responsibility for the part it played in the atrocities committed against the 'comfort women'. This denial of responsibility has had a huge impact, not only on the victims, but also on the collective community of Japan. The author points out that the Japanese government denied its responsibility for playing any part in the organized sex slavery. However, in the early 1990s, with the first lawsuit filed against the Japanese government and the surfacing of documents that directly implicated military officials in the organized prostitution of comfort women, the Japanese government had no choice but to take a new stance on the previous denial of responsibility for these crimes, recognize the moral responsibility for these crimes, and apologize for them. The paper stresses that legal responsibility is also necessary because Japan has made no reparations to the victims, no acknowledgment of legal liability, and has undertaken no prosecutions against the war criminals who committed these crimes.
From the Paper "The term "comfort women" was the official name given by the Japanese Imperial Army to the military's organization of forced prostitution across the Japanese Empire from 1931 to 1945. An estimated 200,000 women were recruited by force, coercion, or deception into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army in order to satisfy their sexual needs during the period of World War II. Women were taken from their homes in Korea, China, the Dutch East Indies, Taiwan, Malaysia, Burma and the Philippines and were sent to locations throughout Japanese occupied Asia where they were imprisoned in facilities know as "comfort houses". In these 'comfort houses', they were raped daily by soldiers, forced to endure torture and abuse and even murdered. By the end of the war approximately 25% of these women had died. Those who did survive were scarred both physically and psychologically for life."
Abstract This paper examines the racist aims of Hitler and the Nazis and Japan's war crimes and atrocities in China. The author points out racial stereotypes held by Japanese and Americans. The paper cites the racial tensions and discrimination on the American home front and white hypocrisy.
From the Paper "This research paper analyzes the role played by racism and its significance during World War II. Racism in the form of the German Nazi belief in the superiority of the Aryan race' and the willingness of Adolf Hitler to expand by force ..."
Abstract In this article, using primary sources only, the writer describes the effect of atrocities on American soldiers in World War II. The writer explores the horrors of war witnessed by soldiers who liberated Nazi concentration camps in addition to their moral outrage at the genocide. The writer discusses the differences between WWII soldiers and those who served in Vietnam, toward reaction to the horrors of war.
From the Paper While the phrase war is hell has entered the language as a cliche, the statement gains its power from its truth. American soldiers like soldiers from all cultures and in all periods of history have recognized that war is almost invariably accompanied by evil acts that go far beyond the carnage that one would expect from violent conflict between armies. In this report the horrors of war will be explored through primary source documents provided ... "
Abstract This paper is a comparative review of three books on the subject of Japanese atrocities and war crimes during the Second World War. The three books to be compared are Yoshimi Yoshiaki's 'Comfort Women: Sexual Slavery in the Japanese Military During World War II', Judith Pearson's' Belly of the Beast: A POW's Inspiring True Story of Faith, Courage, and Survival Aboard the Infamous WWII Japanese Hellship', the Oryoku Maru, and Yuki Tanaka's 'Hidden Horrors: Japanese War Crimes in World War II'. Although all three of these books deal with related subject matter, they take very different approaches, thus casting light on the subject matter from different directions.
Abstract The paper examines Borowski's book that looks at what the thoughts of the emotionless prisoners were as they witnessed atrocity without reaction. The paper analyzes how his writing conveys his lack of emotion; the narrator seems wholly numb to the events that occur around him. The paper is of the opinion that it is one of the most moving accounts of the Holocaust. The paper concludes that overall, "This Way for the Gas" is a fascinating piece of literature. It illustrates plainly the way survival in human society can sometimes mean surrendering one's humanity. Borowski was no longer able to see the other prisoners as human beings. The paper explains that as a result he survived the war but afterwards could not live with himself.
From the Paper "Everyone has seen the sixty year old footage of the prisoners of Nazi concentration camps; we have all seen the black and white film clips of nude and starved human beings lumped together behind barbed wire fences. Yet, perhaps the most haunting features of all such footage are the gaunt, hollow, and emotionless faces of the men and women forced to live and die under some of the most terrible conditions imaginable. Of all the horrifying things to be said about the Nazi Holocaust, one of the most difficult to comprehend is what the thoughts of the emotionless prisoners were as they witnessed atrocity without reaction. Maybe the best answer to this question is provided by Tadeusz Borowski in his semi-autobiographical novel This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen."
Abstract This paper discusses how human beings are still capable of dividing themselves up into groups and committing terrible atrocities based on hatred for other groups of people. The paper focuses primarily on the Holocaust and the Rwandan massacres.
From the Paper "Sadly, in spite of the horror with which most people viewed Hitler's actions, such wars continued to be waged by some groups against others. Another such slaughter occurred in Africa, in the country of Rwanda, in 1994. This horror was between two tribes living in Rwanda, the Hutus and the Tutsis. Even in the capitol city of Kigali one's tribal affiliation mattered. When violence erupted in 1994, Hutu tribal members were able to slaughter nearly one million Tutsis and other targeted individuals in only three months.
There are both similarities and differences between the Nazi Holocaust and the Hutu slaughter of 1994. Both campaigns relied heavily on propaganda. In German, German citizens were told that many of Germany's problems were the fault of Jews (2, PAGE). In Rwanda, the slaughter was triggered by the crash of the President's plane, which many believed was shot down by Tutsis because the President was a Hutu. One of the few radio stations immediately launched a campaign of hate propaganda against the Tutsis. This propaganda quickly fanned flames left smoldering from previous clashes between the two tribes. In both groups, the two groups had been able to live together in civility until propaganda divided them. While some Germans were anti-Semitic prior to World War II, others worked together and mixed socially. In Rwanda, Hutus and Tutsis had been able to live together in peace for some time in spite of a bloody history. In fact, the protagonist in the movie Hotel Rwanda, married a Tutsi woman. "
Abstract This paper explains that the atrocities associated with the once American controlled Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq have been represented visually through a series of oft repeated photographs taken by American guards at the prison. The author points out that these images are of frequently naked, hooded Iraqi prisoners being publicly shamed and tortured by America soldiers, often shown smiling and referring to the spectacle with what can only be described as glee. The paper states that these pictures have left a lasting mark on the face of the war and on the image of the United States all over the world.
From the Paper "Another issue associated with these grave deeds and their photographic record is the obvious and frequent utilization of nudity as a manner to debase prisoners. The guards are shown fully uniformed (in a show of power over the prisoners) while prisoners, except for the covering of their faces are debased in scenes of immorality completely incongruent with their faith and their pride, yet interestingly congruent with the world view (as it applies to Islam) as it relates to hatred of western freedoms, including the manner in which the west freely depicts nudity and objectifies the body."
Abstract The paper examines Stanley Milgram's experiments that have provided insight into human capabilities and explain the role of human obedience in the Nazi atrocities perpetrated in Europe. The paper describes Milgram's experiments where a large percentage of persons, if ordered to do something they normally saw as reprehensible, would go forwards to do what was directed if the order was from a source seen as accountable or authoritative, or if told that a task was a necessary evil. The paper discusses the implications this has for society and concludes with the hope that this will lead to new thinking on the strongly authoritarian American society of the present.
Outline:
Introduction
Milgram and Psychology
Concluding Discussion
From the Paper "The work of Stanley Milgram (1933-1984) remains much studied in psychology, his famous Yale University experiments having helped to push forwards our insight into human capability and seeming to confirm the role of human obedience in Nazi atrocities perpetrated in Europe, not so long before. (See Blass:2004) The concentration camps and the extremity of all other Nazi abuses were a shock to millions who once believed in European sophistication. Evil undertakings were often the work of educated, moral members of German and other societies once seen as bastions of civilization. There had to be an explanation as to how such deeds were committed by persons who could not be absolved on account of ignorance and Milgram's experiments seemed to provide an ample, disturbing rationale. Lauren Slater commented that no one learning of Milgram's findings could express what they meant to them, to previous ideas of humanity or what these findings "measured or predicted, or how much meaning to ascribe." (2004:56) With regard to views of the human being's conscience, informed choice or volition, Milgram's experiments caused a faltering of confidence in the self-directed moral being altogether that would cause a strong adjustment in the Psychology of his generation and beyond."
Tags: Nazi, atrocities, civilization, morals, conscience, authority, society
