The Browning reading made me come to the conclusion that these men did not kill the Jews because of anti-Semitism. These men “were from the lower orders of German society…very few were economically independent…virtually none had any education after leaving school at age 14 or 15” (122). This shows that these men were dependant on the military for jobs, and the military was a great solution for living a good life. I believe this is the main reason these men became killers, they felt obligated to for their job, to support themselves and their families.
A less significant reason for these people to become killers is because they felt like they would be cowards if they did not complete their assignment. In the reading, Browning stated, “One said that he had not wanted to be considered a coward by his comrades. Another- more aware of what truly required courage- said quite simply: “I was cowardly.” These men wanted to live up to their jobs, and they felt like if they did not live up to them, they would be considered a coward- one thing many men would never want to be called in that era. Mainly, I believe these men wanted to maintain what they felt, was their dignity. Yes, it can be argued that by becoming a killer a person has no dignity. However, by having “success” in their jobs, being promoted, etc. These men felt like they had courage and dignity.