How far do these sources back up the view that crystal night was a spontaneous act by the German people

Source A is a typical example of a Nazi source.  At no point does it give a direct order but gives palpable hints about Hitler’s wishes.  Although Heydrich tries to make out that the instructions are a “precaution” in case the “expected” does occur, it indicates there is a degree of pre-planning involved.  The Nazis would not have written it in so much detail unless they were sure it was going to happen.

Source G is an account by a Jewish Rabbi.  One must bare in mind that out of anger, he may have exaggerated the treatment from the Nazis increasing the source’s unreliability.  However, the fact that this is first hand evidence and he had no real reason to lie makes this source quite strong.  

He states that he had his home destroyed by SA (SA? Does he mean SS or SD?)  And that the street was thick with SA troops.  He also says that passers by shouted “down with the Jews.”  This source gives the impression that Kristallnacht did involve the German people but the main “demonstrators” were actually Nazis.

Source F is similar to Source G.  Its author is anti-Nazi.  It is a report by the SPD who had every reason to dislike the Nazis because they exiled them.  They support the idea that the Nazi party orchestrated Kristallnacht.  They state that Hamburg and Elbe, where demonstrations took place, were not renowned for being anti-Semitic.  Therefore, they would have no cause to attack synagogues and Jewish property.  Hence, it was the Nazis.  Overall, however this is a poor source.  It was known that the SPD despised the Nazis and some of the statements they make, such as “People from Hamburg are not generally anti-Semitic” is not backed up by any clear evidence.

Source H has the advantage over the others as it is by a neutral- an American Consul.  His report was based on his personal observations and interviews.  One can trust this source to be accurate as the author is neither anti-Semitic nor anti-Nazi and has no reason to lie.  He claims that the events of the night of the 9/10th of November were completely Nazi orchestrated.  He talks of how Kristallnacht was carried out almost solely by SS men and Storm troopers.  The following morning the citizens were shocked when they saw the carnage.  Witnesses told him how Nazis made the people jeer and spit at the Jews.  This is without a doubt the strongest source as it is by a neutral and it is built up with “reliable testimonials.”

To conclude, the sources do not back up the view that Kristallnacht was a spontaneous act by German people although the Nazi sources try to portray that it was.  Nazi sources are notoriously unreliable.  Sources C and D, although written by the same Nazi do not agree and Source A is too detailed to make one believe that the Nazis did not plan Kristallnacht.  Source F’s strength is that it was written by a person who was actually there but that person is a Jew and may have exaggerated their statement, as with Source G.  Source H is the most reliable as it is by a neutral and firmly supports the claim that Kristallnacht was not a spontaneous act by the German people.  One can therefore conclude that the government orchestrated it.