History 277
Discussion of Jan Gross’ Neighbors for Monday, October 28
Jan Gross’s book has generated considerable controversy in Poland (where it was first published) and among scholars of Eastern European history. He was aware that the book would be controversial, a fact that you should keep in mind while reading it. I would like our discussion on Monday to cover the following issues. If need be, we can extend that conversation into Wednesday as well.
Argument(s). What does Gross contend? Why would this be controversial?
Evidence. What kinds of sources does Gross use to support his argument? Are these sources reliable? What criteria should we use in determining if they are? Does Gross prove his argument based on the sources he uses? Does he overlook facts that are "inconvenient" for his case?
Human motivations. Gross contends that, "There were things people could have done at the time and refrained from doing; and there were things they did not have to do but nevertheless did" (9). What motivates people in the story he tells? Why do they do what they do?
Moral judgment. What moral lessons, if any, does Gross leave us with?
Some Vocabulary
20 red banner—a symbol of Soviet Communism
23 Einsatzgruppen—German detachments charged with murdering Jews and others. They followed the German army as it advanced forward through Poland and the USSR.
24 Shoah—Hebrew term for the Holocaust.
43 Anders Army—Polish forces in exile, formed after the conquest of Poland by Germany and the USSR.
47 NKVD—Soviet secret police.
70 Chasidic Jews—ultra-Orthodox Jewish sects, mainly in Poland, which wore distinctive clothing and thus were easily distinguishable from non-Jews.
83 voivodeship—administrative division of the Polish state.
119 Home Army/AK—Polish guerilla forces formed to resist German (and Soviet) occupation.