What Is Truth and What Is Fiction in World Wars - Essay Example

In history, there is oftentimes a victor and a villain and the revisionists’ role is to shed light on the facts buried in all other propaganda. The role of the reader now becomes to judge for himself what he should believe in.

            This is the very nature of the two accounts of what happened in World War II and even World War I by Benjamin Freedman and Dr. Frederick Toben. From the introduction of Freedman before his speech, he was introduced as a former Jew. He was an insider and a friend of Jews before he converted to Christianity. This leads the listener to curiosity why he would leave his religion by birth for another, especially when you have the opportunity of having belonged to the Jewish community which is almost impenetrable. The reason, it goes, is his outrage at Zionists who manipulate for their gain. Freedman starts by the presentation of the etymology of Judea as a biblical place mentioned in the Bible. It is referred to as a province of Rome and from this stemmed the term Jews who dispersed throughout the world and found their presence in Europe. The Jews have since then taken over a large enterprise of tremendously profitable businesses.

            The speech contains anti-Semitic remarks but when we try to separate Freedman’s opinions and his evidence, we could find truth in what he’s saying. Jews became wealthy in Germany, more than in any other country in Europe. Dr. Toben, obviously a follower of Freedman, mentions a book titled “Wall Street and The Rise of Hitler,” in this book he cites that powerful Jewish banks lent Hitler money for utilization in Germany. Hitler felt that they were sabotaged by these Zionists from the First World War when they induced President Wilson and the United States to join in the war and ally with England which promised them Palestine in return. To answer, Hitler wanted Jews to immigrate or to be deported to Madagascar. This, in fact, was also primarily mentioned by Freedman.

            Dr. Toben was direct in saying that the Holocaust was a hoax and propaganda concocted on the initiative of Jews to make Germany suffer. This is evidenced by a newspaper headline that reads ‘Judea Declares War on Germany,’ the very title of his documentary. It reinforces that anti-Semitism was already in existence years before Hitler came into power and long before his final solution. The fact that Freedman is a participant in the most crucial event such as the Versailles Peace Treaty gives ample credence to his account. It is also valid to question why the governments intentionally whitewashed events and other information to remove traces. Though it may be validly argued that he delivers his point in such a way that is very antagonistic to Jews, anti-Semitic even if that is tolerable by portraying them as liars in order to get what they wanted.

            Freedman’s was quite an emotional speech that instigates Christian feelings which may not be politically acceptable today, whether or not what he is saying is true. To me, it was difficult to take his view without being anti-Semitic myself. But given the circumstances and accepting that passion overcame him where and when passion is due, the speech is more than worth a second look. From a scientific point of view, Dr. Toben’s video is easily acceptable as he imparts in a more objective manner by showing as much evidence as he can, starting with going to Auschwitz himself and then to books and other pieces of history to prove his point.

            Being born within a generation that had a strong historical background of what happened in World War II demonstrated by films, autobiographical accounts, and other books all these things initially come within the realm of conspiracy theory. But the fact is that these kinds of evidence were also presented by these revisionist writers. In upholding objectivity which is essential in the variety of history, all of these must be considered. Though it still remains that history books are far from being revised given the initial perception people have of the World Wars, the convergence of technology gives a new avenue into a rethinking of those who are in pursuit of the truth.