Eric D. Weitz - "Why Was the 20th Century the Century of Genocide?"

In this talk, Professor Weitz compares several episodes of genocide during the past century, especially the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23. Through a comparative approach, he explains why genocide arises and why it became prevalent in the twentieth century. Among the issues he explores in detail is how large elements of national populations came to participate in the killings.

Eric D. Weitz, Distinguished McKnight University Professor of History, Chair of the History Department, and Director of the Center for German and Central European Studies at the University of Minnesota, will speak of the problem of genocide in the twentieth century. Professor Weitz’ books include the highly acclaimed A Century of Genocide: Utopias of Race and Nation.

At Oregon State University, we have observed Holocaust Memorial Week every year since 1987. The breadth and the duration of our effort are unmatched in the Pacific Northwest. This program grows from the belief that educational institutions can do much to combat prejudice of all kinds, and to foster respect for the diversity that is America, by promoting an awareness of the Holocaust, perhaps the most horrific historical indicator of the high cost of prejudice. It is particularly important to teach young people about the Holocaust, so that coming generations will not forget the lessons that a preceding one learned at such cost. This emphasis recalls the motto of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: "For the dead and the living, we must bear witness."

This program was sponsored by the Holocaust Memorial Program and the School of History, Philosophy, and Religion at Oregon State University. For more information, including links to our upcoming programs and events, visit http://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/shpr