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NCJ Number:
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NCJ 195977
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Title:
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History as a Weapon: How Extremists Deny the Holocaust in North America
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Journal:
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American Behavioral Scientist Volume:44 Issue:6 Dated:Feburary 2001 Pages:1001 to 1031
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Author(s):
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Brian Levin
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Publisher Url*:
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http://www.sagepub.com |
Publication Date:
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02/2001 |
Pages:
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31 |
Type:
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Histories/historical perspectives |
Origin:
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United States |
Language:
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English |
Annotation:
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This article examines the evolution of the relationship between
anti-Semitic extremists and others who became central figures in
the promotion of the denial that the Holocaust ever occurred. |
Abstract:
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For this article, an "extremist" is somewhat flexibly defined as
"someone who for ideological reasons advocates a contention as
fact that an unbiased reviewer would regard as wholly or
materially unsubstantiated, or someone who, while advocating a
particular ideological theory, relies on violence and criminality
as a primary means for promoting that position." One of the most
notable attempts by extremists to exploit an historical event for
bigoted ends is that of the self-styled Holocaust "revisionists"
who question the existence or scope of Hitler's extermination
program for Jews. This denial of the Holocaust has been promoted
and financed in substantial part by powerful extremists with a
distinct political agenda. Although denial of the Holocaust
stands on its own as a ideological movement, it also plays a
crucial role in broadly promoting anti-Semitism. Such denial is
appealing to those who promote a theory of secretive,
far-reaching, abusive, Jewish conspiratorial power. It is also
appealing, however, to those who subscribe to a more broad
conspiracy theory that involves the collusion of various
governments, political leaders, and Jews, who are believed to
have concocted the Holocaust for their own individual purposes.
After a brief examination of the Holocaust, this article examines
the historical and contemporary ideas and relationships of some
of the key figures alleged to have ties to the denial movement.
The Institute for Historical Review (IHR), founded by Willis
Carto in 1979, remains the most prominent Holocaust denial
organization in the United States. Most of the IHR's executive
staff have controversial backgrounds, including some with strong ties to prominent hate groups. This article also discusses the activities of Ernst Friedrich Zundel, arguably Canada's most
famous neo-Nazi extremist and Holocaust denier, as well as the
denial activities of David Irving, who emerged as the most famous
promoter in the denial movement during the 1990's and the most
identifiable figure associated with the IHR, even through he had
no official position in the group. This article concludes that
although the denial movement has failed to make any significant
inroads into the changing of mainstream opinion, it is a stealthy
form of anti-Semitism that connects and strengthens a broad
spectrum of extremists whose influence on anti-Semitic historical
views could become stronger when the voices of the World War II
generation are silent. 57 references |
Main Term(s):
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Domestic Preparedness |
Index Term(s):
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Revolutionary or terrorist groups ; Racial discrimination ; Terrorist tactics |
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To cite this abstract, use the following link:
http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=195977
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not available online, a link to the publisher's web site is provided.
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