Oskar Schindler Research Paper

Oskar Schindler: An Unlikely Savior

Oskar Schindler, born on April 28, 1908 in Zwittau, Austria-Hungary, was what many may refer to as an “unlikely Holocaust hero”. Schindler, a shrewd Nazi German businessman was not someone who would generally be called a savior, but his actions would later prove otherwise. A Nazi Schindler would have a change of heart about the Jews after witnessing the extermination of the Krakow ghetto and become a Holocaust hero by saving the lives of almost twelve thousand Jews. When Schindler was asked why he would risk his life to save Jews, he replied, “I hated the brutality, the sadism, and the insanity of Nazism. I just couldn't stand by and see people destroyed. I did what I could, what I had to do, what my conscience told me I must do. That's all there is to it. Really, nothing more.” (Oskar Schindler Interview). Schindler would become a messiah to nearly 1,200 Jews who would later be known as Schindler Jews.

In the quest of making more money, Schindler bought a few enamelware factories in Krakow that were previously owned and financed by once wealthy Jews that had been forced into concentration camps. The factory Emalia in particular would soon become a safe haven for nearly 1,000 Jews. Emalia was located near the Plaszow concentration camp (along with the once standing Krakow ghetto) and was the only factory of Schindler’s that was operated operated by Jewish workers. It was after witnessing the evacuation of the Krakow ghetto that Schindler would come to realize the extent of the Nazi’s cruelty. At first, Schindler was not heavily concerned about saving the Jews, he was more concerned about making money. However, witnessing the harsh situations that the Jews were forced to face at the hands of the ...

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...d to leave Germany and move to Argentina in 1949 with Emilie. Schindler returned to Germany in 1957 without Emilie, because of Schindler’s many infidelities to Emilie, they separated that same year. Schindler moved back and forth between Germany and Israel until his death in October 1974 from health problems. Schindler wanted his body buried in Jerusalem but he died in Germany. To fulfill Schindler’s final wish, many of his Schindler Jews and their children helped pay for his transfer and burial in in Jerusalem. Before Schindler’s death he was awarded with the title of "Righteous Among the Nations" to recognize risking his personal safety and his countless efforts to save many Jews from the Holocaust in 1962. Although Schindler died in poverty and almost unrecognized, his efforts to save twelve thousand helpless Jews will be remembered generation after generation.