1. The Holocaust: Was it planned or a result of chaos and confusion?

Background: The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its allies during World War II. Some historians argue that the Holocaust was meticulously planned and executed by the Nazis, while others believe it was a result of chaos and confusion within the regime.

Key arguments: - Those who believe the Holocaust was planned argue that the Nazis had a clear and deliberate strategy to exterminate the Jewish population, as evidenced by the establishment of concentration camps, gas chambers, and other means of mass murder. - Those who believe the Holocaust was a result of chaos and confusion argue that the Nazis’ policies and actions were often inconsistent and contradictory, suggesting a lack of centralized planning and coordination.

Discussion questions: - What evidence supports the argument that the Holocaust was planned? - How do conflicting accounts of the Holocaust impact our understanding of this historical event? - What implications does the debate over the planning of the Holocaust have for Holocaust education and remembrance?

1. The Armenian Genocide: Should it be recognized as genocide by the international community?

Background: The Armenian Genocide was the systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I. While many countries and international organizations recognize the Armenian Genocide as a genocide, Turkey denies that it was genocide and instead refers to it as a “tragedy” or “massacre.”

Key arguments: - Those who argue that the Armenian Genocide should be recognized as genocide point to the overwhelming evidence of systematic killings, deportations, and other atrocities committed against the Armenian population. - Those who argue against recognizing the Armenian Genocide as genocide claim that the term is politically motivated and that the events of 1915 were part of a larger conflict in which both Armenians and Turks suffered.

Discussion questions: - How does the denial of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey impact international relations and diplomacy? - What role does historical memory play in shaping national identity and collective memory? - Should the international community intervene in cases where a country denies or distorts historical events such as genocide?

1. The American Civil War: Was it primarily about slavery or states’ rights?

Background: The American Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 between the Northern states (Union) and the Southern states (Confederacy) over issues of slavery, states’ rights, and the preservation of the Union. While many historians agree that slavery was a central cause of the Civil War, there is debate over whether it was the primary cause or if states’ rights played a more significant role.

Key arguments: - Those who argue that the Civil War was primarily about slavery point to the secession declarations of Southern states, which explicitly cited the protection of slavery as a reason for leaving the Union. - Those who argue that the Civil War was primarily about states’ rights claim that the conflict was fundamentally about the balance of power between the federal government and the states, with slavery being just one of many issues at stake.

Discussion questions: - How does the debate over the causes of the Civil War shape our understanding of American history and identity? - To what extent do issues of slavery and states’ rights continue to influence contemporary political debates and social divisions in the United States? - How can we reconcile conflicting interpretations of the Civil War to promote a more inclusive and accurate understanding of this pivotal period in American history?