Working with Sources Correctly – But How?
Our guide will show you how to analyze (historical) sources and representations and use them for your project. Learn the techniques that will turn you into successful historians.
Task
Read the information page titled "Analyzing a Text Source" as well as the exercise provided underneath.
Conduct a source analysis of Marianne Joachim's farewell letter to her in-laws.
For guidance or as a template, feel free to use the following document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GjSGU0vPUmWn1JP9x8BQTwutmHYUM-44CRHgZJeTL9Q/edit?usp=sharing.
Record your findings in your group’s Google Document.
In the archive of the Jewish Museum Berlin, there is a poignant letter preserved, written by Marianne Joachim to her in-laws on March 4, 1943. On the same day, the young woman was executed at the Berlin-Plötzensee prison. What had happened?
Marianne and Heinz Joachim likely joined the resistance group led by Herbert Baum in 1941. Herbert Baum, a Jewish communist, had been gathering friends and like-minded individuals since 1933 to resist Nazi policies. On May 18, 1942, the group attempted to set fire to the anti-Soviet exhibition "The Soviet Paradise" in Berlin’s Lustgarten. Among those arrested and subsequently sentenced to death were Marianne and Heinz Joachim.
Transcription of the Letter:
Page 1:
My dear parents-in-law,
Now you must experience for the second time the sad certainty that you have lost a child; even though this time it is only your daughter-in-law. I only regret that I cannot believe in an afterlife; otherwise, I would already be happy in anticipation of a reunion with my, your Heini. – But even so, it is not difficult for me to leave this life; I only feel incredibly sorry for Dad and Mom! Stand by them in this difficult, the hardest time for them! I have always given them hope – although I had none myself – I thought that they were no longer here by now and thus would not learn of my execution. But now they must resign themselves to the inevitable and try to bear the hardest part – just as I have tried to overcome my greatest blow of fate five months ago – when I learned about it. I have never fully come to terms with it, but no one has ever found out what I went through at that time. Well, dear Mama, I probably don’t need to tell you how much I have suffered!
Page 2:
I have sent my estate to your address, dear Mama, because I do not know how long my dear parents will still be here. Now I want to send my last greetings and wish all conceivable good to you, dear Mama, dear Alfons-Papa, Rudi, Nanni, Stupsi, my sweet darlings Gertchen and Werner! Especially heartfelt greetings to Erich, to whom I am mentally giving a strong handshake. Also, last greetings to other relatives, the Reetz family, Neumann, Arndt, etc.
Do not leave my little Muttchen and Dad alone! Help them a little! I also thank you for all the love and goodness! Heartfelt farewell kisses to you all
from your Marianne.