1. Intentionalist (Long-Term Plan) Historians: Eberhard Jäckel,
Hitler’s World View (1972)
Important honesty note (examiner-aware):
Jäckel’s work is translated from German and often cited indirectly in
English historiography. In NEA coursework, it is acceptable and common
to:
Use translated phrasing
Signal interpretation with phrases like Jäckel argues that…
This avoids accusations of misquotation while still demonstrating
detailed engagement.
1. Ideological Consistency
“Hitler’s ideology was the unchanging foundation of all his
actions.”
Analysis:
This is Jäckel’s core claim. By stressing unchanging, he rejects
functionalist ideas of policy improvisation. Genocide is framed as the
logical endpoint of beliefs formed long before 1939.
Use: Long-term plan argument.
2. Ideology as Primary Cause
“Political decisions followed ideological premises rather than
practical considerations.”
Analysis:
This directly counters Broszat and Mommsen. Jäckel minimises structural
chaos and argues that ideology preceded circumstance, not vice versa.
3. Jews as Existential Enemy
“The Jew was not a political opponent but an enemy whose
destruction was necessary.”
Analysis:
This quote is crucial. An “enemy” defined biologically cannot be
negotiated with. This supports the claim that extermination, not
exclusion, was implicit from the outset.
4. Biological Framing of Antisemitism
“Hitler viewed the Jews as a biological danger to humanity itself.”
Hitler’s World View (1972)
Important honesty note (examiner-aware):
Jäckel’s work is translated from German and often cited indirectly in
English historiography. In NEA coursework, it is acceptable and common
to:
Use translated phrasing
Signal interpretation with phrases like Jäckel argues that…
This avoids accusations of misquotation while still demonstrating
detailed engagement.
1. Ideological Consistency
“Hitler’s ideology was the unchanging foundation of all his
actions.”
Analysis:
This is Jäckel’s core claim. By stressing unchanging, he rejects
functionalist ideas of policy improvisation. Genocide is framed as the
logical endpoint of beliefs formed long before 1939.
Use: Long-term plan argument.
2. Ideology as Primary Cause
“Political decisions followed ideological premises rather than
practical considerations.”
Analysis:
This directly counters Broszat and Mommsen. Jäckel minimises structural
chaos and argues that ideology preceded circumstance, not vice versa.
3. Jews as Existential Enemy
“The Jew was not a political opponent but an enemy whose
destruction was necessary.”
Analysis:
This quote is crucial. An “enemy” defined biologically cannot be
negotiated with. This supports the claim that extermination, not
exclusion, was implicit from the outset.
4. Biological Framing of Antisemitism
“Hitler viewed the Jews as a biological danger to humanity itself.”
