1. Wer redet heute noch von der Vernichtung der Armenier? Who speaks today of the extermination of the Armenians? Statement by Hitler on the eve of the invasion of Poland in 1939

2. The Armenian genocide, 1915 How could this happen?

3. Assignment 1 How could this happen? Support your answer with one or more facts from the timeline Factors necessary to facilitate a genocideApplicableArgumentation? An extreme and severe crisis that causes political insecurity (e.g war or the treath of war) -Empire in decline -Balkan wars -WOI An ideology that delivers motives for legitimizing murder -The new rulers are extreme nationalistic A state apparatus that takes the initiative for prosecution and is also responsible for the execution of the prosecution. -The state takes the initiative to arrest the Armenian intellectuals -They take the initiative to deport mothers and children -They organize public executions

4. Follow-up discussion based on Stanton’s 8 stages of genocide Classification: categorizing ‘groups’ of people, we and she, ethnic, racial, cultural, religious or nationalistic. Symbolization: identify and capture outer characteristics and etnical differences. Make the other ‘group’ recognizable by using symbols. Dehumanization : denial of the humanity of the other group, for example by the use of medical jargon (germs) or animal names (rats, cockroaches). Destroying ones identity. Organization: genocide is the result of collective action that requires preparation: there should be men and weapons, and a certain social organization (hierarchy, bureaucracy). Polarisation: radicalized, extremist groups are opposing eachother. All nuance and reasonability is a threat. Those with a moderate point of view form the biggest treath for the group of perpetrators. Preparation: this includes identification, expropriation, concentration or collection and transport. Destruction: killing members of the group, also children, ‘cleansing’. Destruction of cultural property. Denial: the final stage of every genocide is denial. Graves are hidden, evidence is being destroyed. The narratives are changed, mortality is adjusted downwards. Soothing circumstances are being staged (‘it was war’) and there is discussion wether the act falls within the precise legal definition of genocide.