Eichmann in Jerusalem

by

Hannah Arendt

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Eichmann in Jerusalem makes teaching easy.

Theresienstadt Term Analysis

A concentration camp, the only one run by Eichmann, located in what is now the northwestern Czech Republic. Originally proposed as a homeland for German Jews, the small town instead came to house “privileged” Jews from around Europe. Ultimately, it was the only camp that foreign observers were allowed to visit—Eichmann gave the International Red Cross a tour in 1944.
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Theresienstadt Term Timeline in Eichmann in Jerusalem

The timeline below shows where the term Theresienstadt appears in Eichmann in Jerusalem. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5: The Second Solution: Concentration
The Banality of Evil Theme Icon
Zionism and Nazism Theme Icon
...his third plan: to create a homeland for German Jews inside Nazi territory. Someone proposed Theresienstadt, and Eichmann went to investigate. It was much too small and instead became “a special... (full context)
The Banality of Evil Theme Icon
Conscience, Authority, and Totalitarianism Theme Icon
...does not remember even the year of this latter story, nor does he remember that Theresienstadt was opened after “the era of the ‘physical solution’ had begun.” He also could not... (full context)
Chapter 8: Duties of a Law-Abiding Citizen
The Banality of Evil Theme Icon
Conscience, Authority, and Totalitarianism Theme Icon
Justice and Legal Responsibility Theme Icon
...a point of voicing his disagreement with the Red Cross when it came to visit Theresienstadt. (full context)
Chapter 9: Deportations from the Reich—Germany, Austria, and the Protectorate
Conscience, Authority, and Totalitarianism Theme Icon
Justice and Legal Responsibility Theme Icon
Zionism and Nazism Theme Icon
...lost German nationality. Separate laws and Berlin’s cooperative Jewish Association ensured that those sent to Theresienstadt, inside the Reich, also lost their rights and property. While the Order Police (in Germany)... (full context)
Chapter 10: Deportations from Western Europe—France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Italy
Storytelling and Resistance Theme Icon
When the Nazis tried to seize Jews for deportation to Theresienstadt that October, they were prevented from breaking into apartments (lest the Danish police fight back)... (full context)
Chapter 14: Evidence and Witnesses
Zionism and Nazism Theme Icon
...and Lithuania, where Eichmann’s competence and authority had been almost nil.” Only four testify about Theresienstadt, which Eichmann actually ran, and “the right of the witnesses to be irrelevant” is well-established. (full context)
Chapter 15: Judgment, Appeal, and Execution
The Banality of Evil Theme Icon
Conscience, Authority, and Totalitarianism Theme Icon
Justice and Legal Responsibility Theme Icon
...was even excluded from the R.S.H.A. officials’ daily lunch. His only remaining duty was overseeing Theresienstadt, and when the Red Cross visited it, he complained “about Himmler’s new ‘humane line’ in... (full context)