Role of Kapos in Nazi Concentration Camps

Role of Kapos in Nazi Concentration Camps Kapos, called Funktionshftling by the SS, were prisoners who collaborated with the Nazis to serve in leadership or administrative roles over others interned in the same Nazi concentration camp. How Nazis Used Kapos The vast system of Nazi concentration camps in occupied Europe was under the control of the SS (Schutzstaffel). While there were many SS who staffed the camps, their ranks were supplemented with local auxiliary troops and prisoners. Prisoners that were chosen to be in these higher positions served in the role of Kapos. The origin of the term â€Å"Kapo† is not definitive.  Some historians believe it was directly transferred from the Italian word â€Å"capo† for â€Å"boss,† while others point to more indirect roots in both German and French.  In the Nazi concentration camps, the term Kapo was first used at Dachau from which it spread to the other camps. Regardless of the origin, Kapos played a vital role in the Nazi camp system as a large number of prisoners within the system required constant oversight.  Most Kapos were put in charge of a prisoner work gang, called Kommando. It was the Kapos job to brutally force prisoners to do forced labor, despite the prisoners being sick and starving. Facing prisoner against prisoner served two goals for the SS: it allowed them to meet a labor need while simultaneously furthering tensions between various groups of prisoners. Cruelty Kapos were, in many instances, even crueler than the SS themselves.  Because their tenuous position depended on the satisfaction of the SS, many Kapos took extreme measures against their fellow prisoners to maintain their privileged positions. Pulling most Kapos from the pool of prisoners interned for violent criminal behavior also allowed this cruelty to flourish.  While there were Kapos whose original internment was for asocial, political, or racial purposes (such as Jews), the vast majority of Kapos were criminal internees. Survivor memoirs and recollections relate varying experiences with Kapos.  A select few, such as Primo Levi  and Victor Frankl, credit a certain Kapo with ensuring their survival or helping them get slightly better treatment; while others, such as Elie Wiesel, share a far more common experience of cruelty.   Early in Wiesel’s camp experience at Auschwitz, he encounters, Idek, a cruel Kapo. Wiesel relates in Night: One day when Idek was venting his fury, I happened to cross his path. He threw himself on me like a wild beast, beating me in the chest, on my head, throwing me to the ground and picking me up again, crushing me with ever more violent blows, until I was covered in blood. As I bit my lips in order not to howl with pain, he must have mistaken my silence for defiance and so he continued to hit me harder and harder.  Abruptly, he calmed down and sent me back to work as if nothing had happened. In his book,  Mans Search for Meaning,  Frankl also tells of a Kapo known simply as The Murderous Capo. Kapos Had Privileges The privileges of being a Kapo varied from camp to camp but almost always resulted in better living conditions and a reduction in physical labor.   In the larger camps, such as Auschwitz, Kapos received separate rooms within the communal barracks, which they would often share with a self-selected assistant.   Kapos also received better clothing, better rations, and the ability to supervise labor rather than actively participate in it.  Kapos were sometimes able to use their positions to also procure special items within the camp system such as cigarettes, special foods, and alcohol.   A prisoner’s ability to please the Kapo or establish a rare rapport with him/her could, in many instances, meant the difference between life and death. Levels of Kapos In the larger camps, there were several different levels within the â€Å"Kapo† designation.  Some of the titles deemed as Kapos included: Lagerltester (camp leader): Within the various sections of large camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Lagerltester oversaw the entire section and served largely in administrative roles.  This was the highest of all prisoner positions and came with the most privileges.Blockltester (block leader): A position that was common in most camps, the Blockltester was responsible for the administration and discipline of an entire barracks.  This position customarily afforded its holder with a private room (or one shared with an assistant) and better rations.Stubenlteste (section leader): Oversaw portions of large barracks such as those in Auschwitz I and reported to the Blockltester about specific needs related to the barrack’s prisoners. At Liberation At the time of liberation, some Kapos were beaten and killed by the fellow prisoners that they had spent months or years tormenting, but in most cases, Kapos moved on with their lives in a similar fashion to other victims of Nazi persecution.   A few found themselves on trial in post-war West Germany as part of the U.S. military trials held there, but this was the exception, not the norm.  In one of the Auschwitz trials of the 1960s, two Kapos were found guilty of murder and cruelty and sentenced to life in prison. Others were tried in East Germany and Poland but without much success.  The only known court-sanctioned executions of Kapos occurred in immediate post-war trials in Poland, where five of seven men convicted for their roles as Kapos had their death sentences carried out. Ultimately, historians and psychiatrists are still exploring the role of Kapos as more information becomes available through recently released archives from the East. Their role as prisoner functionaries within the Nazi concentration camp system was vital to its success but this role, like many in the Third Reich, is not without its complexities.   Kapos are viewed as both opportunists and survivalists, and their complete history may never be known.

Free Essays on Mother Courage

Mother Courage and Her Children The story of Mother Courage and Her Children is one of progressive ruin in the face of war and it’s devastating consequence. As each of Courage’s children leave or die, the burden placed upon her is augmented. By the end of Brecht’s tale, Mother Courage is forced to, quite literally, carry her burdens on her own. As a director, a proper approach to the script would take this progression into account. To exemplify the corrosion of Mother Courage’s world, and the expansion of her burden, attention must be drawn to the wagon, the primary symbol of Courage’s hope and her duty. A possible approach to the symbolism of the wagon would be to increase its size from the beginning of the play to the end. By the final scene, Courage would be pulling a far larger burden, both literally and figuratively than at the beginning of her journey. Another dramaturgical element to be accounted for is that of music. Narrative songs of both hope and despair permeate the play, and are integral to its structure and rhythm. Action on stage should not cease during the songs, but continue as normal. As they are sung, sheets should be folded, knives sharpened and other daily tasks completed, thus changing the songs from capricious acts of artistry, to a necessary expression of powerful emotion. As is exemplified in Courage’s mute and mutilated daughter, Kattrin, the fruits of war have their consequence. Though Courage subsists on the ravages of war, it is the same conflict that ultimately destroys all that she loves. It is this irony that presents an inspiring challenge both dramaturgically and directorially.... Free Essays on Mother Courage Free Essays on Mother Courage Mother Courage It’s always important to be touched. Writers know and understand this idea. Whether the audience feels good or bad about whom or what you present is not as important as the fact that they feel something. Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children is a perfect example of a work that doesn’t leave us in very high spirits but touches us in such a way that it becomes even more powerful than if it had. Throughout the play the title character, Mother Courage, is presented to us in such a way that the reader is usually left not knowing how to feel. We have with two choices. On the one hand she can be a money grubbing, self concerned woman who only cares about herself and those directly related to her money. On the other hand she can be considerate and caring mother who only wants to protect her children. It’s an issue the reader wrestles with many times over the course of the play. If you take everything at face value it seems that all Mother Courage is driven by is profit. But then one has to think . . . What’s is her motive? Is it her children? Are we completely misinterpreting Mother Courage’s intentions? Consider this: Mother Courage throughout the war does what she can to keep her daughter Kattrin â€Å"innocent.† Now as awful as it sounds prostitution is a pretty lucrative business. If Mother Courage was only driven by profit wouldn’t she decide that maybe selling Kattrin’s body would help her business? Mother Courage looses all three of her children at the end of the play. As each dies she just seems to pick up and move on, with a brief moment of sorrow. This is a characteristic that adds to the readers contempt for her, and rightly so. Wouldn’t you think the death of a child would affect a mother to the point of agony? But it doesn’t seem to reach Mother Courage on this level. Why is it, that in spite of losing all her children, Mother Courage fails to see the lig... Free Essays on Mother Courage Mother Courage and Her Children The story of Mother Courage and Her Children is one of progressive ruin in the face of war and it’s devastating consequence. As each of Courage’s children leave or die, the burden placed upon her is augmented. By the end of Brecht’s tale, Mother Courage is forced to, quite literally, carry her burdens on her own. As a director, a proper approach to the script would take this progression into account. To exemplify the corrosion of Mother Courage’s world, and the expansion of her burden, attention must be drawn to the wagon, the primary symbol of Courage’s hope and her duty. A possible approach to the symbolism of the wagon would be to increase its size from the beginning of the play to the end. By the final scene, Courage would be pulling a far larger burden, both literally and figuratively than at the beginning of her journey. Another dramaturgical element to be accounted for is that of music. Narrative songs of both hope and despair permeate the play, and are integral to its structure and rhythm. Action on stage should not cease during the songs, but continue as normal. As they are sung, sheets should be folded, knives sharpened and other daily tasks completed, thus changing the songs from capricious acts of artistry, to a necessary expression of powerful emotion. As is exemplified in Courage’s mute and mutilated daughter, Kattrin, the fruits of war have their consequence. Though Courage subsists on the ravages of war, it is the same conflict that ultimately destroys all that she loves. It is this irony that presents an inspiring challenge both dramaturgically and directorially....

List of Elements in the Lathanide Group

List of Elements in the Lathanide Group The lanthanides or lanthanoid series is a group of transition metals located on the periodic table in the first row (period) below the main body of the table. The lanthanides are commonly referred to as the rare earths, although many people group scandium and yttrium together with the rare earth elements. Its less confusing to call the lanthanides a subset of the rare earth metals. The Lanthanides Heres a list of the 15 elements that are lanthanides, which run from atomic number 57 (lanthanum or Ln) and 71 (lutetium or Lu): Lanthanum: atomic number 57 with symbol Ln Cerium: atomic number 58 with symbol Ce Praseodymium: atomic number 59Â  with symbol Pr Neodymium: atomic number 60 with symbol Nd Promethium: atomic number 61 with symbol Pm Samarium: atomic number 62 with symbol Sm Europium: atomic number 63 with symbol Eu Gadolinium: atomic number 64 with symbol Gd Terbium: atomic number 65 with symbol Tb Dysprosium: atomic number 66 with symbol Dy Holmium: atomic number 67 with symbol Ho Erbium: atomic number 68Â  with symbol Er Thulium: atomic number 69 with symbol Tm Ytterbium: atomic number 70 with symbol Yb Lutetium: atomic number 71 with symbol Lu Note sometimes that lanthanides are considered to be the elements following lanthanum on the periodic table, making it a group of 14 elements. Some references also exclude lutetium from the group because it has a single valence electron in the 5d shell. Properties of the Lanthanides Because the lanthanides are all transition metals, these elements share common characteristics associated with metals. In pure form, they are bright, metallic, and silvery in appearance. Because the elements can have a variety of oxidation states, they tend to form brightly colored complexes. The most common oxidation state for most of these elements is 3, although 2 and 4 are also generally stable. The metals are reactive, readily forming ionic compounds with other elements. Lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, and europium react with oxygen to form oxide coatings or tarnish after brief exposure to air. Because of their reactivity, pure lanthanides are stored in an inert atmosphere, such as argon, or are kept under mineral oil. Unlike other most other transition metals, the lanthanides tend to be soft, sometimes to the point where they can be cut with a knife. None of the elements occurs free in nature. Moving across the periodic table, the radius of the 3 ion of each successive element decreases. This phenomenon is called lanthanide contraction. Except for lutetium, all of the lanthanide elements are f-block elements, referring to the filling of the 4f electron shell. Although lutetium is a d-block element, its usually considered a lanthanide because it shares so many chemical properties with the other elements in the group. Although the elements are called rare earth metals, they arent particularly scarce in nature. However, its difficult and time-consuming to isolate them from each other from their ores, adding to their value. Lanthanides are valued for their use in electronics, particularly television and monitor displays. They are used in lighters, lasers, superconductors, to color glass, to make materials phosphorescent, and to control nuclear reactions. A Note About Notation The chemical symbol Ln may be used to refer to any lanthanide in general, not specifically the element lanthanum. This may be confusing, especially in situations where lanthanum itself isnt considered a member of the group!

Comparison of Violent Extent of Religious Terrorism to Secular Essay

Comparison of Violent Extent of Religious Terrorism to Secular Terrorism - Essay Example Nevertheless, religious terrorist attacks are known to be fatal and lethal compared to secular attacks. Religious terrorist motivated by religion, to commit terrorist attacks with a conviction that they are right; for instance, Muslims commit crimes with the claim that they are involved in a holy war (jihad). The secular terrorists are aware that they are committing a crime; therefore, they ensure their attacks are less lethal and fatal (Al-Khattar, 2011, 22). Terrorism is a kind of violence applied in peace, conflict and war. The groups use threats before carrying out unexpected attacks. The American Christians white supremacists threatened the government of America claiming that the people running the government were not Christians. As a result, they bombed Alfred P. Murrah federal office building in Oklahoma City in April 1995 to make their point clear (Hoffman, 2006, 107). Terrorist attacks have specific goals and motives the attacks do not happen randomly. For instance, the al Q aeda group led by Osama bin laden carried out the 9/11 attack to ensure the American government withdraw its military base from Saudi Arabia. Their goal was to ensure the Americans were not in control of any Arabic country (Dyson, 2010, 5). Religion known to be the centre of human beings, people controlled and guided by religious beliefs. Therefore, when terror groups created based on religion the group is likely to have many committed followers (Fine, 2008, 59). In addition, when undertaking terror attacks the group ensures the attacks are fatal because they believe the people attacked are wrong and should be punished for their wrong doings. Secular terrorist attacks; on the other hand, undertaken to manipulate a government or a group of people to adhere to their demands (Hoffman, 2006, 7). Islamic religion well known for conducting a number of terrorist attacks, the well-known al Qaeda group religiously controlled. Its followers commit crimes with a view that they are fighting for their Islamic rights. For instance, the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York was fatal, many people lost their lives and others left injured (Jonathan, 2010, 369). In addition, property of invaluable value also destroyed. The attack was fatal because it was religiously controlled. Religious terrorism are known to be fatal, because of the reasoning behind the attack. Religious terrorist believe that the attack is holy and religiously protected (Juergen, 2010, 34). In addition, religious terrorist believe that violence is a sacred act undertaken in direct, to fulfill religious needs or better still they believe the attack justified by the scripture. Religion functions as a legal force, which triggers a massive criminal activity against people who are not strong believers of religion (Sugirharah, 2011, 75). Religious terrorist attacks believe their work is a vocational calling, and they normally take responsibility of their actions publicly. They use terrorism to fulfill their political and social demands (Okoro, 2010, 554). In addition, religious terrorist also act anonymously, and they act to fulfill their own needs. Their attacks escalate violence and harm to the public. Islamic religion known to accommodate a number of terror groups, nonetheless, religious terrorist involve other religions too. For instance, the 1995 nerve gas attack in Tokyo subway system led by apocalyptic Japanese religious cult that took the lives of many people. After the attack, the group also promised

THE CHALLENGES FOR NURSES WHO PROVIDE PALLIATIVE CARE TO DAYING Essay

THE CHALLENGES FOR NURSES WHO PROVIDE PALLIATIVE CARE TO DAYING PATIENTS - Essay Example This holistic care services may be carried out in most clinical setting, including patient's home. Role of Nurses in Palliative Care Issues of death and caring for dying patients are certainly emotional human experiences that demands for a compassionate care. ICN reiterates that nurses should reduce suffering and help improve the quality of a dying patient's life, so with the family members. Nurses are expected create and maintain a relationship with the client who is therapeutic; working with them in a peaceful environment conducive for mitigating pain. As health care providers, they must be effective as clinical managers, supervisors, coordinating services, able to set priorities, monitor care outcomes, conducting health teachings to patient and the families, managing resources and efficient in providing nursing leadership in caring for dying patients. Issues and Challenges in Nursing Palliative Care In line with their work, several nurses experienced moral and ethical dilemmas. In January 2004 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association (2004, 11), authors who conducted survey about the end-of-life experiences of people who passed away shared that, majority of people preferred to die at home. Regardless of the setting, respondents shared that, the care given by the staff were inadequate: dyspnea (22%), pain (24%), and emotional needs (50%). There was higher patients' satisfaction with hospice care than the care provided by nursing homes, hospitals, and home care providers. Undoubtedly, the goals of care and care itself are interdisciplinary.On the contrary, The Institute of Medicine (IOM) elaborated that, in nursing homes, there is insufficient knowledge regarding the experience... This report approves that The health care team with the family must do advance planning so that, during the course of decision making, patient’s preferences are ensured. The patient needs to be guarded against any aggressive and inappropriate care near death. The team also has to make the time spent by the dying and the family precious. Despite declining physical health, the patient’s quality of life must be ensured. The financial burden of the family must be minimized; patient and the family should be educated in terms of insurance which cover treatment of the illness and help the family with bereavement should be given. All these are important and health care providers should be educated of the said principles. This essay makes a cocnlusion that good health is a responsibility of everyone. The overall health outcomes of a patient greatly depends on the collaborative efforts of the patient and family, health care providers and institution, insurance companies, and all the more, the government. When health care costs are rising, insurers must see to it that they address properly the patient’s needs. The public and policy making bodies must adopt the prolonging-life-at-any-cost approach in order to upgrade the existing quality health care system. Nurses should not only predict the moment of patient’s death but should anticipate the risks and difficulties patient experience, rather discuss dying, support patient and family by informing them about appropriate treatment decisions.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Chrysler PT Cruiser - Essay Example The Chrysler PT Cruiser The Chrysler Group is Daimler Chrysler AG’s unit which is world’s fifth biggest automaker producing company in both passengers as well as commercial vehicle segments. The Chrysler PT Cruiser is built by Chrysler which is a â€Å"retro† styled station wagon. It is the marquee of Daimler Chrysler. The model resembles in size and shape to the 1997 Chrysler CCV prototype. The marketing plan is all about repositioning and revitalising the PT Cruiser that has been struggling since many years and underwent a decline stage. PT Cruiser has been one of the successful retro-styled vehicles. More than 1.3 million PT Cruiser cars were manufactured since the year 2000. However, despite its stylish look and many advanced features, the sales of the car have been plummeting in the recent years. It has been analysed that the reason behind the sales slide and the failure of the PT Cruiser have been that the Chrysler didn’t invest the required sum in this model. It has even b een argued that the reason behind its failure has been that the car was never improved by the company over its life span. The target segment was primarily the middle aged people who bought these cars. There are always two basic strategic choices for any company. Either the company can segment the market or it can treat its entire market as its potential customers for the goods and services that it renders. By the word ‘segmentation’ the development of the unique marketing strategies in order to meet the market needs of the market place, is perceived. (Weinstein, 2004). In addition to the middle aged people the target segment should be youngsters as well. By driving its attention towards this particular segment, the company can gain a significant number of customers in comparison to the middle aged people. In terms of psychographic segmentation, the company needs to segment its market to the outgoing people who usually hangout with their friends and relatives. The company has been providing its services all over the world; however, it would be better if the company targets the Asian countries as there is huge potential in these countries. In terms of benefit segmentati on, the company needs to focus upon investing in the style of the product as it has not gone through much change with respect to the product and there has been no investment made to upgrade it. In terms of physiographic segmentation, the company can target both the economy minded as well as the high income group people. Marketing Objectives The main objective of the company must be to invest adequate resources so that they can appeal to the mass consumers. In the era of competition, it is important for the companies to keep themselves updated with the modern technologies. The major reason for the failure of the product has been that the model and features provided by the car were same throughout its entire of its 11 years existence in the market. Therefore, the main objective of the company must be to make changes in the product model along with providing new advanced features with the aim to beat the

Make up Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Make up - Essay Example Moreover, the plan requires all businesses and workers to abide by these rules. For a long time Republican and Democratic presidents used legal authority in dealing with the issue. However, President Obama took a commonsense approach. The approach by the President relies on his executive authority to ensure everyone is accountable and capable of following the law in contributing to the US. The president took the approach as the country anticipates for the Congress and Republicans to act. No hindrances exist that can affect the president’s decision since US constitution as well as Immigration and Naturalization Act offer the Executive authority to come up with enforcement priorities that improve the way agencies apply the law. US Supreme Court agrees on this. The executive authority allows both Democrat and Republican presidents to act on immigration. All presidents after President Eisenhower have legal authority that enables them to deal with immigration (The White House). For a long time, the US immigration system has been broken making it pointlessly difficult for the country to draw the best talent around the globe. Skilled workers usually wait for years or even decades before obtaining green cards to allow them contribute fully to the country’s economy and gain citizenship with time. Entrepreneurs lack devoted immigration corridor to allow them develop their enterprises and create jobs in the country. Every year, the country’s universities educate a number of well talented students only to coerce them to return to their country of origin and compete against the US. Through the executive action by the President, the immigration system is set to enhance immigration of highly skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and graduates (The White House). In the past, skilled immigrants got temporary work visas. Only in cases where no American employees available to