[PzLdr]

The term ‘final solution’ predates the Wansee Conference by at least five months. It appears in the written order Goering gave Heydrich in July, 1941 ordering the latter to implement a coordinated all encompassing solution to the Nazis perceived ‘Jewish problem’. Since the Einsatzgruppen had already moved into the western Soviet Union before that date, it would appear a verbal order had been issued earlier. Himmler alluded, in conversations with underlings, that Hitler had given him such an order.

The Wansee conference was originally scheduled for December, 1941, but Pearl Harbor, and Hitler's declaration of war on the U.S [Dec. 11th] postponed it to January, 1942.

[padre35]

Thanks, if I recall correctly Goering had been basically demoted from the Luftwaffe command staff at that point but he did design or was key in implementing the policies.

Hitler was known to have said “never reduce anything to paper if it can be avoided” it would not be unreasonable to say no policy such as the murder of 6 million Jews, and an equal number of other “undesirables” without his approval and applause.

He made his intentions clear in his book.

[iowamark]

I would imagine that Hitler’s desire to exterminate the Jews led to the invasion of Russia in 1941. Many Nazis thought it unnecessary or premature, since Stalin was such a cooperative ally. However, the bulk of Europe’s Jews were still out of Hitler’s reach and he could not tolerate that.