When did Hitler start planning the Holocaust?

Answer 1

Answer

He spelled it out in 1925 and 1926 in Mein Kampf, his two volume book meaning "My Struggle."

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In fact, the passage generally quoted does not call for genocide and is not a plan or even the start of a plan. Most historians now think the Holocaust was planned in 1941, probably in September-October.

Please see the related question below.

See also Christopher Browning, The Origins of the Holocaust ...

Answer 2

One date that is conspicuous is November 9, 1938, which is the Kristallnacht (night of broken glass). As many as 91 Jews, but probably more, were killed during the destruction of synagogues and Jewish businesses. This pogrom (series of riots) was ostensibly in reaction to the killing of German diplomat Ernst vom Rath in Paris, but was likely a pretext for Hitler and Goebbels to act against Jews.

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Agreed, one can give various dates, but it is generally agreed that the Holocaust began in 1941, though some Jews were killed by the Nazis before that. Please see the related question.

Answer 3

No single written order for start of the Final Solution has ever been found, and many historians (such as Ian Kershaw and Christopher Browning) think that no such written order was issued. Rather, there was a whole series of decisions in the second half of 1941. Browning stresses the importance of the period September-October, 1941. I hope this doesn't come as a shock, but it has been the position of many respected historians for about thirty years.

Answer 4

I imagine Germany seeming as that is where Hitler lived

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The actual genocide took place mainly:

1. In the field - in Eastern Europe, starting in Lithuania and Ukraine in late June, 1941.
2. In extermination camps, which were purpose built killing facilities. These were all in Nazi occupied Poland. The first routine mass gassings (as opposed to experimental gassings) started at Chelmno on 8 December 1941.