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Oskar Schindler
1908 - 1974 An Ordinary Man
Oskar Schindler was an unlikely savior. He was a heavy drinker and a womanizer; he was an opportunist and a crook; he was a profiteer and an egotist. He was also a member of the Nazi Party. But in the end, to roughly 1,300 Jewish people none of that mattered. To these survivors, Oskar Schindler was simply yet miraculously, a savior.
World War II Begins
World war II began in September, 1939, with Germany's brutal invasion of Poland. Soon after, Germany's armies had conquered most of Europe. Adolf Hitler, chancellor of Germany, had risen to power leading the Nazi Party. The Nazi Party, also known as the National Socialist German Workers Party, was founded in 1919 by a group of unemployed radical Germans. The Nazi Party held ideals that were anti-Semitic (or anti-Jewish), racist, and Facist. Facism is a political philosophy that embraces a dictatorial leadership. Prior to World War II, the Nazis had already begun to persecute the Jews in Germany. They were required to wear a Star Of David on their clothing to identify themselves as Jews. Nazi policies denied them of all basic rights, including those to freedom of religion, access to education, and ownership of private property. Many Jews were forced to relocate to labor camps; this split familes apart, separtating husbands from wives and parents from children.
"It's Not Enough to Be Good. One has to act against evil." --Zev Kadem, one of Schindler's Jewish workers.
During this period of intense cruelty, the vast majority of German citizens stood by and watched as their Jewish neighbors were dragged from their homes, stripped of their belongings, and killed. Only a few showed compassion and stepped forward, risking everything, including their lives, to help those being persecuted. Oskar Schindler was one of those few. After the German invasion of Poland, Oskar Schindler attempted to profit from the war by opening a factory in Krakow. The factory made goods for the German army. Oskar's factory became incredibly successful; he eventually employed hundreds of workers, most of whom were Jews. As the war continued, Schindler realized what the effect of the Nazi rule would be on all Jews, including his employees. He understood that the Nazis would not rest until the Jewish race was destroyed. Schindler said: 
Schindler began hiring hundreds more Jewish employees than was necessary for his factory to operate. The factory became known in the Jewish community as a "Safe Haven," a place where they were protected from the horrors of German brutality. In some cases, Schindler falsified documents to hide the fact that many of the Jews hired were disabled, sick, or elderly. Even whole families were brought to Schindler's factory.
Schindler's List
Eventually, all Jews in Krakow were forced into a labor camp which was to be eliminated by then sending them to death camps. Schindler was able to save his workers by having a list made with the names of 1,100 Jews. He conviced Nazi officials that these particular Jews were essential for his factory's production of wartime goods. He also spent a large amount of his fortune opening up a new factory and bribing Nazi officials to allow him to transport the Jews to the new factory. 
The Importance of Oskar Schindler Oskar Schindler provides an example of an ordinary man who rose above the madness and insanity around him to take action based on his inner conscience. He provides proof that is it possible to do good even from the very center of hatred and persecution. He worked from within the Nazi Party to achieve his purpose in saving human lives. He refused to stand passively by and watch an entire people be systematically destroyed for believing in a different religion. His actions beg us to examine our own lives and ask ourselves what we would do in a similar situation of oppression and persecution. By saving 1,100 lives, Oskar Schindler shows us that one person can stand up against bigotry, prejudice, and intolerance, and in doing so make a difference.
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