Oskar+Schindler

Overview
In the 1940s America was involved with what will be known as World War II. The main controversy throughout this war was because of German dictator Hitler. It was Hitler’s soul mission to rid the earth of those who were not worthy. In his eyes those unfit were of Jewish decent. What would be known as the Nazi Party was formed to carry out these actions. Oskar Schindler was a member of this party. He would take part in schmoozing those in a higher ranking than he, but ultimately Schindler sought redemption for his actions.

Critical Issue
TIME Magazine recalled Oskar Schindler saying, “He was a war profiteer and a war hero. He was chummy with the Nazis; he saved many Jews.” It may seem as if the magazine was contradicting itself because it was. Oskar Schindler did just that. During WWII Mr. Schindler operated a factory for the Nazi Party. Concentration camps were established for Jewish people were they would work to death; this became known as the Holocaust. Mr. Schindler’s factory provided parts and tools for the Nazi army. Contrary to his initial plan, Oskar’s factories became a haven for Jewish workers where little to no one died. At first he refused to admit that he was helping Jewish. By the end of the war though, at the peak of Jewish genocide, Oskar Schindler began to buy Jewish workers. Every life that he bought was a life that he saved. With the help of his Jewish accountant, Yitzak Stern, those who had little hope of surviving the Holocaust were saved.

Conclusion/Historical Significance
Oskar Schindler’s early association with the Nazi Party was despicable. His lust for women, money, and power would later chastise him though. At a time when European Jews were being brutally murdered, Mr. Schindler was able to save 1,100 Jewish lives. His factories encouraged faith with Jewish song echoing in each corridor. By the end of the war Mr. Schindler refused to produce anything affiliated with the Nazi army in his factory. His attempts to save lives were extremely dangerous, and he exhausted all of his funds. Despite his actions, at the end of the war as a Nazi Party member he was reprimanded. Those lives in which he saved, and their families, will never punish him though.