The Porajmos. A critical analysis of Sinti and Roma egodocuments

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Definitions
  • 2.1. Genocide
  • 2.2. Holocaust and Porajmos
  • 2.3. “Gypsy” vs. Roma and Sinti
  • 2.4. Antiziganism and Antisemitism
  • 2.5. Compensation
  • 2.6. Egodocuments
• 3. Historical context
  • 3.1. Pre-war situation in Germany and Austria
  • 3.2. Deportation
  • 3.3. Auschwitz
  • 3.4. Persecution and Transport to other concentration camps
• 4. Sinti and Roma during the Second World War
  • 4.1. Victims’ testimonies
  • 4.2. Pre-War Period
  • 4.3. Deportation to the “Gypsy camps” and to Auschwitz-Birkenau
  • 4.4. Auschwitz-Birkenau
    • 4.4.1. The “Gypsy”-Family camp and its conditions
    • 4.4.2. Work activities
    • 4.4.3. Resistance, Persecution, and transport to new concentration camps
• 5. Post-war memory
  • 5.1. The Denial of the Sinti and Roma as racially persecuted victims
  • 5.2. Recognition of the Sinti and Roma genocide
  • 5.3. Auschwitz Museum
  • 5.4. Memorial for the murdered Sinti and Roma in Berlin
  • 5.5. Importance of Egodocuments
    • 5.5.1. Memoirs of Sinti and Roma survivors
    • 5.5.2. Teaching about the Sinti and Roma genocide
    • 5.5.3. Graphic novels as learning tools
• 6. Conclusion

Objectives & Key Themes

This Master's thesis aims to critically analyze the Sinti and Roma genocide, particularly by examining egodocuments, and highlighting their crucial role in understanding and preserving the memory of the Porajmos. The central research question seeks to reveal how egodocuments shed light on lived experiences during WWII and their contribution to post-war memory construction.

• Analysis of egodocuments (memoirs, diaries, graphic novels) as historical sources.
• Exploration of the Sinti and Roma genocide ("Porajmos") in the context of the Holocaust.
• Examination of pre-war discrimination, deportation, and experiences in concentration camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau.
• Investigation of post-war memory, denial, and recognition of the Sinti and Roma genocide.
• Discussion of educational tools for teaching about the Sinti and Roma genocide.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of the Sinti and Roma genocide, highlights the lack of research compared to the Jewish Holocaust, and outlines the thesis's objective to use egodocuments to shed light on their experiences and post-war memory.

2. Definitions: This section provides essential definitions for terms like genocide, Holocaust, Porajmos, and clarifies the distinctions between "Gypsy," Roma, and Sinti, as well as Antiziganism and Antisemitism, compensation, and egodocuments.

3. Historical context: This chapter establishes the historical backdrop of the persecution, detailing the pre-war situation in Germany and Austria, the systematic deportation, the conditions in Auschwitz, and the transport to other concentration camps.

4. Sinti and Roma during the Second World War: This core chapter focuses on the experiences of Sinti and Roma victims, presenting testimonies, outlining the pre-war period from their perspective, describing their deportation to "Gypsy camps" and Auschwitz-Birkenau, and detailing the conditions and activities within Auschwitz-Birkenau.

5. Post-war memory: This chapter explores how the memory of the Sinti and Roma genocide was shaped after the war, including its denial, eventual recognition, the role of museums and memorials, and the critical importance of egodocuments for teaching and preserving this history, including graphic novels.

6. Conclusion: This final chapter summarizes the key findings, reiterating the significance of egodocuments as primary sources and their ongoing role in historical discussions and education regarding the Sinti and Roma genocide.

Keywords

Sinti, Roma, Porajmos, Holocaust, Genocide, Egodocuments, Memoirs, Testimonies, Persecution, Discrimination, Antiziganism, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Memory, Oral History, Graphic Novels

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this work fundamentally about?

This work is fundamentally about the critical analysis of Sinti and Roma egodocuments to understand and keep alive the memory of the Porajmos (the Sinti and Roma genocide) during the Second World War.

What are the central thematic areas?

The central thematic areas include the definitions of genocide and related terms, the historical context of the Sinti and Roma persecution, their experiences during WWII through personal testimonies, and the post-war memory and recognition of their genocide.

What is the primary goal or research question?

The primary goal is to highlight the importance of analyzing the genocide of the Sinti and Roma by investigating their memoirs, and to examine what light egodocuments can shed on their lived experiences and their role in post-war memory construction.

Which scientific method is used?

The scientific method used is a qualitative, historical analysis, primarily focusing on egodocuments such as memoirs, diaries, and graphic novels as key primary sources to reconstruct and understand the experiences of Sinti and Roma victims.

What is covered in the main part?

The main part of the thesis covers definitions of key terms, the historical context leading to the persecution, the experiences of Sinti and Roma during the Second World War (including testimonies, pre-war life, deportations, and the specifics of Auschwitz-Birkenau), and the challenges and developments in post-war memory and recognition.

Which keywords characterize the work?

Keywords characterizing the work include Sinti, Roma, Porajmos, Holocaust, Genocide, Egodocuments, Memoirs, Testimonies, Persecution, Discrimination, Antiziganism, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Memory, Oral History, and Graphic Novels.

Why are egodocuments considered particularly important for this research?

Egodocuments are considered important because they provide distinct personal perspectives and emotional insights into the victims' experiences, offering a crucial dimension to historical knowledge that often fills gaps where other sources might be scarce or less personal. They help to understand the unique individual and family fates within the broader narrative of the genocide.

How does the thesis address the post-war denial and recognition of the Sinti and Roma genocide?

The thesis addresses this by dedicating a significant chapter (Chapter 5) to post-war memory, examining the initial denial of the Sinti and Roma as racially persecuted victims, their struggle for recognition, the role of museums and memorials like Auschwitz and the Berlin memorial, and how egodocuments contribute to asserting their historical truth.