The Holocaust is the specific term used to describe the genocide of six million Jews (and six million others) from 1933-1945. Klaus Barbie was a man who put some of these Jews to death. He became a well-known killer of Jews and was recognized personally by Adolf Hitler. Klaus Barbie was only one of many who contributed to the Holocaust, but he is known as the Butcher of Lyon for torturing Jews, murdering them in cold blood, and hunting humans like animals. While some people turn into murderers over a moment of passion, mass murderers are cultivated over a lifetime of circumstances and choices. Barbie was born 25 October 1913 in Bad Godesberg, Germany (H.E.A.R.T). His father, Nikolaus, was wounded in the neck during WWI and returned a bitter, dejected man. Nikolaus drank to relieve pain from his neck and was physically abusive to both his sons. It is possible that Barbie developed a lifelong hatred for the French because his father had been wounded in the war, subsequently causing Nikolaus to drink (Henchmen, pg. 200).…show more content… He was protected by American Intelligence agents because of his “police skills” and anti-communist zeal. With aid of America, he fled to Bolivia with his family and lived there as a businessman. In 1983, Bolivia finally gave Barbie to France. In February of 1983, Barbie was sentenced to life imprisonment (H.E.A.R.T).
Klaus Barbie was only one of many who contributed to the Holocaust, but he is known as the Butcher of Lyon for torturing Jews, murdering them in cold blood, and hunting humans like animals. Barbie had a bad family life and turned his feelings into hatred for others. He was influenced by war, blood, and cruelty. Barbie killed thousands of people and tortured just as many. He managed to escape capture and lived in Bolivia for years. Finally, he was captured and spent the rest of his life in prison. Klaus Barbie died on September 25th, 1991 of cancer (Henchmen,
