It is like writing history with lightning and my only regret is that it is all so terribly true.
Woodrow WilsonRead
But what began in 1941 was a process of destruction not planned in advance, not organized centrally by any agency. There was no blueprint and there was no budget for destructive measures. They were taken step by step, one step at a time. Thus came about not so much a plan being carried out, but an incredible meeting of minds, a consensus - mind reading by a far-flung bureaucracy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on how destruction can occur through uncoordinated efforts rather than a clear plan.
Raul Hilberg's quote emphasizes that the process of destruction during a specific historical period unfolded organically rather than through a structured plan. It illustrates how a collective mindset among various individuals and groups led to significant consequences, demonstrating that sometimes large-scale actions can develop from incremental steps influenced by a consensus rather than a formalized strategy.
Themes
DestructionProcessChaosBureaucracyConsensus
In practice
Example use cases
During a history lesson about World War II, this quote can illustrate how events unfold without a clear directive.
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