Can anyone help me with this history essay I am writing for class?

[battleknight24]

This paper is for my World Civilization II class. I am writing a short essay on Elie Wiesel's book NIGHT, an autobiographical narrative in which the author describes is horrifying experiences in Nazi concentration camps in Birkenau, Auschwitz, and a few others. Anyway, I already wrote an intro and summerized the book. Now I need to answer the following two questions. The reason that I am having trouble is that they are pretty broad.

1. How does his (Wiesel's) story of genocide fit into 20th century world history?

2. What meanings do his observations carry for world history?

I only need some ideas to write about a page or a page and a half. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Peace,

[Radical Activist]

1. It sounds like the teacher is looking for

you to discuss other cases of genocide. You might put the holocaust in context of other cases of genocide in the 20th century, discuss how they are similar or different, and what threat there is of similar instances happening today. You might talk about US inaction in Rwanda or if you want to get gutsy, the massive slaughter and imprisonment of innocent people in Iraq.

[Fenris]

3. Or the current genocide in the Sudan.

Or the ethnic cleansings of Slobodan Milosevic.

Or more historical holocausts, like that of the Armenian Christians: http://groong.usc.edu/fisk.html

[Fenris]

2. 1. How does his (Wiesel's) story of genocide fit into 20th century world h

Try talking about the Holocaust as one of the major events of the 20th century that had lasting implications (i.e. the foundation of Israel, etc.). The topic question is needlessly broad, unfortunately.

2. What meanings do his observations carry for world history?

Hmm. Maybe say something of how it reorients the perception of calamitous world events from an overall view into a more personal, relatable point of view. I really don't know. These questions are extremely broad.