The Book ThiefThe Book Thief by by Markus Zusak and Markus Zusak and

Night by Elie WieselNight by Elie Wiesel

Background Information on Background Information on World War II and the World War II and the

HolocaustHolocaust

The Book ThiefThe Book Thief Covers Covers

and more covers…and more covers…

Night Night coverscovers

The Book ThiefThe Book Thief

FictionFiction Setting: Nazi Setting: Nazi

Germany, 1939Germany, 1939 Narrated by DeathNarrated by Death Protagonist: Liesel Protagonist: Liesel

MemingerMeminger Told from perspective Told from perspective

of German girl during of German girl during Hitler’s ruleHitler’s rule

NightNight

Setting: Sighet, a village Setting: Sighet, a village in the Carpathian in the Carpathian Mountains in northern Mountains in northern Transylvania, which was Transylvania, which was annexed by Hungary in annexed by Hungary in 1940 1940

True account of a young True account of a young Jewish boy’s, Elie Jewish boy’s, Elie Wiesel, struggle to live Wiesel, struggle to live during the Holocaust.during the Holocaust.

Narrated by the author Narrated by the author in first person, also the in first person, also the protagonist of the storyprotagonist of the story

Adolf Hitler: the Adolf Hitler: the FührerFührerRise to PowerRise to Power 1918-WWI ended1918-WWI ended German propaganda German propaganda

had not prepared the had not prepared the nation for defeat, nation for defeat, resulting in a sense of resulting in a sense of injured German prideinjured German pride

1919: The German 1919: The German Workers’ Party Workers’ Party (forerunner of Nazi (forerunner of Nazi Party) formed – Hitler Party) formed – Hitler rose to leadership rose to leadership because of his because of his emotional and emotional and captivating speeches.captivating speeches.

Nazi Party stands for Nazi Party stands for National Socialist National Socialist German Worker’s PartyGerman Worker’s Party

By 1920, Hitler was the By 1920, Hitler was the official leader of the Nazi official leader of the Nazi PartyParty

1923 – Hitler attempted 1923 – Hitler attempted to overthrow authorities to overthrow authorities in Munich – but failed in Munich – but failed miserably and was sent miserably and was sent to prison (a hero!)to prison (a hero!)

1925 – Hitler published 1925 – Hitler published Mein Kampf (My Mein Kampf (My Struggle) –Struggle) – written while written while in prisonin prison

In In Mein KampfMein Kampf, Hitler uses the main thesis of "the , Hitler uses the main thesis of "the Jewish peril," which speaks of an alleged Jewish Jewish peril," which speaks of an alleged Jewish conspiracy to gain world leadership. The narrative conspiracy to gain world leadership. The narrative describes the process by which he became describes the process by which he became increasingly anti-Semitic and militaristic, especially increasingly anti-Semitic and militaristic, especially during his years in Vienna. Yet, the deeper origins of during his years in Vienna. Yet, the deeper origins of his anti-Semitism remain a mystery. He speaks of not his anti-Semitism remain a mystery. He speaks of not having met a Jew until he arrived in Vienna, and that having met a Jew until he arrived in Vienna, and that at first his attitude was liberal and tolerant. When he at first his attitude was liberal and tolerant. When he first encountered the anti-Semitic press, he says, he first encountered the anti-Semitic press, he says, he dismissed it as unworthy of serious consideration. A dismissed it as unworthy of serious consideration. A little later and quite suddenly, it seems, he accepted little later and quite suddenly, it seems, he accepted the same anti-Semitic views whole-heartedly, which the same anti-Semitic views whole-heartedly, which became crucial in his program of national became crucial in his program of national reconstruction. Becoming acquainted with Zionism, reconstruction. Becoming acquainted with Zionism, which he calls a "great movement," is what Hitler which he calls a "great movement," is what Hitler claims encouraged his view that one cannot be both a claims encouraged his view that one cannot be both a German and a Jew.German and a Jew.

Mein KampfMein Kampf has also been studied as a has also been studied as a work on political theory. For example, work on political theory. For example, Hitler announces his hatred of what he Hitler announces his hatred of what he believed to be the world's twin evils: believed to be the world's twin evils: Communism and Judaism. The new Communism and Judaism. The new territory that Germany needed to obtain territory that Germany needed to obtain would properly nurture the "historic would properly nurture the "historic destiny" of the German people; this destiny" of the German people; this goal explains why Hitler invaded goal explains why Hitler invaded Europe, both East and West, before he Europe, both East and West, before he launched his attack against Russia. launched his attack against Russia. Blaming Germany’s chief woes on the Blaming Germany’s chief woes on the Weimar Republic, he announces that he Weimar Republic, he announces that he wants to completely destroy the wants to completely destroy the parliamentary system.parliamentary system.

Mein KampfMein Kampf

Introduction Introduction Volume I: A ReckoningVolume I: A Reckoning

– Chapter 1: In the House of My Chapter 1: In the House of My Parents Parents

– Chapter 2: Years of Study and Chapter 2: Years of Study and Suffering in Suffering in ViennaVienna

– Chapter 3: General Political Chapter 3: General Political Considerations Based on My Considerations Based on My ViennaVienna Period Period

– Chapter 4: Chapter 4: MunichMunich – Chapter 5: Chapter 5: The World WarThe World War – Chapter 6: War Propaganda Chapter 6: War Propaganda – Chapter 7: The Revolution Chapter 7: The Revolution – Chapter 8: The Beginning of My Chapter 8: The Beginning of My

Political Activity Political Activity – Chapter 9: The 'German Workers' Chapter 9: The 'German Workers'

Party' Party' – Chapter 10: Causes of the Collapse Chapter 10: Causes of the Collapse – Chapter 11: Nation and Race Chapter 11: Nation and Race – Chapter 12: The First Period of Chapter 12: The First Period of

Development of the Development of the German National Socialist Workers'German National Socialist Workers' Party Party

Rise of Nazi PowerRise of Nazi Power

Between 1925 Between 1925 and 1929, the and 1929, the party grew to party grew to 108,000 108,000 membersmembers

1929: Great 1929: Great Depression had a Depression had a large impact on large impact on GermanyGermany

On January 30, On January 30, 1933, President 1933, President Paul von Paul von Hindenburg Hindenburg appointed Hitler appointed Hitler Chancellor Chancellor

Within months of Within months of Hitler's appointment as Hitler's appointment as Chancellor, the Dachau Chancellor, the Dachau concentration camp concentration camp was created. The Nazis was created. The Nazis began arresting began arresting Communists, Socialists, Communists, Socialists, and labor leaders. and labor leaders. Dachau became a Dachau became a training center for training center for concentration camp concentration camp guards and later guards and later commandants who commandants who were taught terror were taught terror tactics to dehumanize tactics to dehumanize their prisoners.their prisoners.

As part of a policy of As part of a policy of internal coordination, the internal coordination, the Nazis created Special Courts Nazis created Special Courts to punish political dissent. In to punish political dissent. In a parallel move from April to a parallel move from April to October, the regime passed October, the regime passed civil laws that civil laws that barred Jewsbarred Jews from holding positions in the from holding positions in the civil service, in legal and civil service, in legal and medical professions, and in medical professions, and in teaching and university teaching and university positions. The Nazis positions. The Nazis encouraged boycottsencouraged boycotts of of Jewish-owned shops and Jewish-owned shops and businesses and began book businesses and began book burnings of writings by Jews burnings of writings by Jews and by others not approved and by others not approved by the Reich. by the Reich.

On August 2, 1934, President Hindenburg died. Hitler On August 2, 1934, President Hindenburg died. Hitler combined the offices of Reich Chancellor and combined the offices of Reich Chancellor and President, declaring himself President, declaring himself FührerFührer . .

Hitler announced the Hitler announced the Nuremberg LawsNuremberg Laws in 1935. in 1935. These laws stripped Jews of their civil rights as These laws stripped Jews of their civil rights as German citizens and separated them from Germans German citizens and separated them from Germans legally, socially, and politically. Jews were also legally, socially, and politically. Jews were also defined as a separate race under "The Law for the defined as a separate race under "The Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor." Being Jewish Protection of German Blood and Honor." Being Jewish was now determined by ancestry; thus the Germans was now determined by ancestry; thus the Germans used race, not religious beliefs or practices, to define used race, not religious beliefs or practices, to define the Jewish people. This law forbade marriages or the Jewish people. This law forbade marriages or sexual relations between Jews and Germans. Hitler sexual relations between Jews and Germans. Hitler warned darkly that if this law did not resolve the warned darkly that if this law did not resolve the problem, he would turn to the Nazi Party for a problem, he would turn to the Nazi Party for a final final solutionsolution. More than 120 laws, decrees, and . More than 120 laws, decrees, and ordinances were enacted after the Nuremburg Laws ordinances were enacted after the Nuremburg Laws and before the outbreak of World War II, further and before the outbreak of World War II, further eroding the rights of German Jews. Many thousands of eroding the rights of German Jews. Many thousands of Germans who had not previously considered Germans who had not previously considered themselves Jews found themselves defined as "non-themselves Jews found themselves defined as "non-Aryans." Aryans."

1936 Olympics in 1936 Olympics in GermanyGermany

Berlin hosted the Olympics. Berlin hosted the Olympics. Hitler viewed this as a Hitler viewed this as a perfect opportunity to perfect opportunity to promote a favorable image promote a favorable image of Nazism to the world. of Nazism to the world. Monumental stadiums and Monumental stadiums and other Olympic facilities were other Olympic facilities were constructed as Nazi constructed as Nazi showpieces. showpieces.

While two Germans with While two Germans with some Jewish ancestry were some Jewish ancestry were invited to be on the German invited to be on the German Olympic team, the German Olympic team, the German Jewish athlete Gretel Jewish athlete Gretel Bergmann, one of the Bergmann, one of the world's most accomplished world's most accomplished high jumpers, was not. high jumpers, was not.

The great irony of these The great irony of these Olympics was that, in the Olympics was that, in the land of "Aryan superiority," land of "Aryan superiority," it was it was Jesse OwensJesse Owens, the , the African-American track star, African-American track star, who was the undisputed who was the undisputed hero of the games. hero of the games.

Jesse OwensJesse Owens

Jesse Owens grew Jesse Owens grew up in Moulton, up in Moulton, AlabamaAlabama

Received a Received a scholarship to run scholarship to run at Ohio Stateat Ohio State

Won FOUR gold Won FOUR gold medals in Germany medals in Germany during the 1936 during the 1936 OlympicsOlympics

In Germany, open anti-In Germany, open anti-Semitism became Semitism became increasingly accepted, increasingly accepted, climaxing in the "Night climaxing in the "Night of Broken Glass" of Broken Glass" (Kristallnacht)(Kristallnacht) on on November 9, 1938. November 9, 1938. Basically, this was a Basically, this was a free-for-all against the free-for-all against the Jews, during which Jews, during which nearly 1,000 nearly 1,000 synagogues were set on synagogues were set on fire and 76 were fire and 76 were destroyed. More than destroyed. More than 7,000 Jewish businesses 7,000 Jewish businesses and homes were looted, and homes were looted, about one hundred Jews about one hundred Jews were killed and as many were killed and as many as 30,000 Jews were as 30,000 Jews were arrested and sent to arrested and sent to concentration camps to concentration camps to be tormented, many for be tormented, many for months. months.

Within days, the Within days, the Nazis forced the Nazis forced the Jews to transfer Jews to transfer their businesses to their businesses to Aryan hands and Aryan hands and expelled all Jewish expelled all Jewish pupils from public pupils from public schools. With brazen schools. With brazen arrogance, the Nazis arrogance, the Nazis further persecuted further persecuted the Jews by forcing the Jews by forcing them to pay for the them to pay for the damages of damages of KristallnachtKristallnacht . .

Night of Broken Glass Night of Broken Glass

More Night of Broken More Night of Broken GlassGlass

World War II BeginsWorld War II Begins

On September 1, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland, On September 1, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland, officially starting World War II. Two days later, officially starting World War II. Two days later, Britain and France, now obliged by treaty to Britain and France, now obliged by treaty to help Poland, declared war on Germany. Hitler's help Poland, declared war on Germany. Hitler's armies used the tactic of armies used the tactic of Blitzkrieg,Blitzkrieg, or or lightning war, a combination of armored attack lightning war, a combination of armored attack accompanied by air assault. Before British and accompanied by air assault. Before British and French power could be brought to bear, in less French power could be brought to bear, in less than four weeks, Poland collapsed. Germany's than four weeks, Poland collapsed. Germany's military conquest put it in a position to military conquest put it in a position to establish the New Order, a plan to abuse and establish the New Order, a plan to abuse and eliminate so-called undesirables, notably Jews eliminate so-called undesirables, notably Jews and Slavs. and Slavs.

A Jew is forced to cut the beard of A Jew is forced to cut the beard of another Jew as a form of public another Jew as a form of public humiliation.humiliation.

The GhettosThe Ghettos The Nazis' ghettos The Nazis' ghettos

differed, however, in differed, however, in that they were a that they were a preliminary step in the preliminary step in the annihilation of the Jews, annihilation of the Jews, rather than a method to rather than a method to just isolate them from just isolate them from the rest of society. As the rest of society. As the war against the Jews the war against the Jews progressed, the ghettos progressed, the ghettos became transition areas, became transition areas, used as collection points used as collection points for deportation to death for deportation to death camps and camps and concentration camps concentration camps

DiscriminationDiscrimination

On November 23, 1939 On November 23, 1939 General Governor Hans General Governor Hans Frank issued an Frank issued an ordinance that Jews ten ordinance that Jews ten years of age and older years of age and older living in the General living in the General Government had to Government had to wear the Star of David wear the Star of David on armbands or pinned on armbands or pinned to the chest or back. to the chest or back. This made the This made the identification of Jews identification of Jews easier when the Nazis easier when the Nazis began issuing orders began issuing orders establishing ghettos. establishing ghettos.

Jews were intimidatedJews were intimidated

Ghettos 1941Ghettos 1941

Ghetto life was wretched. The ghettos Ghetto life was wretched. The ghettos were filthy, with poor sanitation. were filthy, with poor sanitation. Extreme overcrowding forced many Extreme overcrowding forced many people to share a room. Disease was people to share a room. Disease was rampant. Staying warm was difficult rampant. Staying warm was difficult during bitter cold winters without during bitter cold winters without adequate warm clothes and heating adequate warm clothes and heating fuel. Food was in such short supply fuel. Food was in such short supply that many slowly starved to death. that many slowly starved to death.

Jewish ration Jewish ration card – entitled card – entitled the Jew to 300 the Jew to 300 calories per day!calories per day!

Children starved in the Children starved in the ghettosghettos

1941-1942: The Camps1941-1942: The Camps

Camps were an essential part of Camps were an essential part of the Nazis' systematic oppression the Nazis' systematic oppression and mass murder of Jews, political and mass murder of Jews, political adversaries, and others considered adversaries, and others considered socially and racially undesirable. socially and racially undesirable. There were concentration camps, There were concentration camps, forced labor camps, extermination forced labor camps, extermination or death camps, transit camps, and or death camps, transit camps, and prisoner-of-war camps. The living prisoner-of-war camps. The living conditions of all camps were brutal. conditions of all camps were brutal.

DachauDachau

Dachau, one of the first Nazi concentration Dachau, one of the first Nazi concentration camps, opened in March 1933, and at first camps, opened in March 1933, and at first interned only interned only known political opponents known political opponents of the Nazis: Communists, Social of the Nazis: Communists, Social Democrats, and others who had been Democrats, and others who had been condemned in a court of lawcondemned in a court of law. Gradually, . Gradually, a more diverse group was imprisoned, a more diverse group was imprisoned, including Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, including Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, Gypsies, dissenting clergy, homosexuals, Gypsies, dissenting clergy, homosexuals, as well as others who were denounced for as well as others who were denounced for making critical remarks about the Nazis. making critical remarks about the Nazis.

Death CampsDeath Camps

Six Six deathdeath or extermination camps or extermination camps were constructed in Poland. These so-were constructed in Poland. These so-called death factories were Auschwitz-called death factories were Auschwitz-Birkenau , Treblinka , Belzec , Sobibór, Birkenau , Treblinka , Belzec , Sobibór, Lublin (also called Majdanek), and Lublin (also called Majdanek), and Chelmno . The primary purpose of Chelmno . The primary purpose of these camps was the methodical these camps was the methodical killing of millions of innocent people. killing of millions of innocent people. The first, Chelmno, began operating in The first, Chelmno, began operating in late 1941. The others began their late 1941. The others began their operations in 1942. operations in 1942.

The Final SolutionThe Final Solution

In January 1942, SS official Reinhard In January 1942, SS official Reinhard Heydrich held a meeting of Nazi government Heydrich held a meeting of Nazi government officials to present the officials to present the Final SolutionFinal Solution. At this . At this meeting, known as the Wannsee Conference , meeting, known as the Wannsee Conference , the Nazi officials agreed to SS plans for the the Nazi officials agreed to SS plans for the transport and destruction of all 11 million Jews transport and destruction of all 11 million Jews of Europe. The Nazis would use the latest in of Europe. The Nazis would use the latest in twentieth century technology, cost efficient twentieth century technology, cost efficient engineering and mass production techniques engineering and mass production techniques for the sole purpose of killing off the following for the sole purpose of killing off the following racial groups: Jews, Russian prisoners of war, racial groups: Jews, Russian prisoners of war, and Gypsies. Their long-range plans, and Gypsies. Their long-range plans, unrealized, included targeting some 30 million unrealized, included targeting some 30 million Slavs for death. Slavs for death.

Mass MurdersMass Murders

Starting early in Starting early in 1942, the Jewish 1942, the Jewish genocide (sometimes genocide (sometimes called the Judeocide) called the Judeocide) went into full went into full operation. Auschwitz operation. Auschwitz 2 (Birkenau), 2 (Birkenau), Treblinka, Belzec, Treblinka, Belzec, and Sobibór began and Sobibór began operations as death operations as death camps. There was no camps. There was no selection process; selection process; Jews were destroyed Jews were destroyed upon arrival. upon arrival.

Gates leading in to Gates leading in to Auschwitz: Work will Auschwitz: Work will make you free.make you free.

By the end of 1943 the Germans closed By the end of 1943 the Germans closed down the death camps built specifically to down the death camps built specifically to exterminate Jews. The death tolls for the exterminate Jews. The death tolls for the camps are as follows: Treblinka, (750,000 camps are as follows: Treblinka, (750,000 Jews); Belzec, (550,000 Jews); Sobibór, Jews); Belzec, (550,000 Jews); Sobibór, (200,000 Jews); Chelmno, (150,000 Jews) (200,000 Jews); Chelmno, (150,000 Jews) and Lublin (also called Majdanek, 50,000 and Lublin (also called Majdanek, 50,000 Jews). Auschwitz continued to operate Jews). Auschwitz continued to operate through the summer of 1944; its final death through the summer of 1944; its final death total was about 1 million Jews and 1 million total was about 1 million Jews and 1 million non-Jews. Allied encirclement of Germany non-Jews. Allied encirclement of Germany was nearly complete in the fall of 1944. The was nearly complete in the fall of 1944. The Nazis began dismantling the camps, hoping Nazis began dismantling the camps, hoping to cover up their crimes. By the late to cover up their crimes. By the late winter/early spring of 1945, they sent winter/early spring of 1945, they sent prisoners walking to camps in central prisoners walking to camps in central Germany. Thousands died in what became Germany. Thousands died in what became known as death marches. known as death marches.

Death MarchesDeath Marches

ResistanceResistance

Resistance against the Nazis--planned Resistance against the Nazis--planned and spontaneous, armed and unarmed--and spontaneous, armed and unarmed--took many forms throughout WWII and took many forms throughout WWII and the Holocaust. For many, the resistance the Holocaust. For many, the resistance was a struggle for physical existence. was a struggle for physical existence. Some escaped through legal or illegal Some escaped through legal or illegal emigration. Others hid. Those who emigration. Others hid. Those who remained, struggled to obtain life's remained, struggled to obtain life's essentials by smuggling the food, essentials by smuggling the food, clothing, and medicine necessary to clothing, and medicine necessary to survive. survive.

On October 7, the On October 7, the sonderkommandosonderkommando (prisoners forced to handle the (prisoners forced to handle the bodies of gas chamber victims) bodies of gas chamber victims) succeeded in blowing up one of the succeeded in blowing up one of the four crematoria at Auschwitz . All of four crematoria at Auschwitz . All of the saboteurs were captured and the saboteurs were captured and killed. killed.

Resistance continued until the end of Resistance continued until the end of the war. the war.

SonderkommandosSonderkommandos

Rescue and LiberationRescue and Liberation

Throughout the Holocaust, victims Throughout the Holocaust, victims received help from rescuers. received help from rescuers. Courageous German citizens were Courageous German citizens were able to hide and protect thousands able to hide and protect thousands of Jews and other victims of of Jews and other victims of oppression until the defeat of Nazi oppression until the defeat of Nazi Germany and the liberation of the Germany and the liberation of the death camps by the Allied forces. death camps by the Allied forces.

Those who attempted to rescue Jews Those who attempted to rescue Jews and others from the Nazi death and others from the Nazi death sentence did so at great risk to their sentence did so at great risk to their own safety. Anyone found harboring a own safety. Anyone found harboring a Jew, for example, was shot or publicly Jew, for example, was shot or publicly hanged as a warning to others. Sharing hanged as a warning to others. Sharing scarce resources with those in hiding scarce resources with those in hiding was an additional sacrifice on the part was an additional sacrifice on the part of the rescuer. Despite the risks, of the rescuer. Despite the risks, thousands followed the dictates of thousands followed the dictates of conscience. conscience.

HeroesHeroes

Better known rescuers include Raoul Better known rescuers include Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who led the Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who led the effort that saved 100,000 Hungarian Jews in effort that saved 100,000 Hungarian Jews in 1944. Another rescuer, Oscar Schindler, saved 1944. Another rescuer, Oscar Schindler, saved over 1,000 Polish Jews from their deaths. over 1,000 Polish Jews from their deaths. Huguenot Pastor André Trocme led the rescue Huguenot Pastor André Trocme led the rescue effort in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, France, effort in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, France, which hid and protected 5,000 Jews. Over which hid and protected 5,000 Jews. Over 13,000 men and women who risked their lives 13,000 men and women who risked their lives to rescue Jews have been honored as to rescue Jews have been honored as "Righteous Gentiles" at the Yad Vashem "Righteous Gentiles" at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. Thousands Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. Thousands more remain unrecognized. more remain unrecognized.

HEROESHEROES

Oscar Schindler Raoul WallenbergRaoul Wallenberg

1945: Horror and 1945: Horror and ShockShock As Allied troops entered Nazi-occupied As Allied troops entered Nazi-occupied

territories, the final rescue and liberation territories, the final rescue and liberation transpired. Allied troops who stumbled upon transpired. Allied troops who stumbled upon the concentration camps were shocked at the concentration camps were shocked at what they found. Large ditches filled with what they found. Large ditches filled with bodies, rooms of baby shoes, and gas bodies, rooms of baby shoes, and gas chambers with fingernail marks on the walls all chambers with fingernail marks on the walls all testified to Nazi brutality. General Eisenhower testified to Nazi brutality. General Eisenhower insisted on photographing and documenting insisted on photographing and documenting the horror so that future generations would not the horror so that future generations would not ignore history and repeat its mistakes. He also ignore history and repeat its mistakes. He also forced villagers neighboring the death and forced villagers neighboring the death and concentration camps to view what had concentration camps to view what had occurred in their own backyards. occurred in their own backyards.

SurvivorsSurvivors

Elie, his mother, and two Elie, his mother, and two sisters before the sisters before the Holocaust Holocaust

Elie todayElie today

Elie at AushwitzElie at Aushwitz

The Jews 1940 - The Jews 1940 - 19451945

The HolocaustThe Holocaust

Prelude to the Final Prelude to the Final SolutionSolution When Hitler seized power in 1933 he used When Hitler seized power in 1933 he used

his new powers under the ‘Enabling Law’ his new powers under the ‘Enabling Law’ to begin his attack on the Jews.to begin his attack on the Jews.

In 1938, the Nazi attack on the Jews In 1938, the Nazi attack on the Jews changed and became more violent with changed and became more violent with Himmler launching Kristallnacht on 11Himmler launching Kristallnacht on 11thth November 1938.November 1938.

By 1939, half of Germany’s 500,000 Jews By 1939, half of Germany’s 500,000 Jews had emigrated to escape Nazi persecution.had emigrated to escape Nazi persecution.

Prelude to the Final Prelude to the Final SolutionSolution

In 1939, Germany In 1939, Germany invaded Poland invaded Poland which had a much which had a much larger population larger population of 3 million Jews.of 3 million Jews.

In 1941, Germany In 1941, Germany invaded Russia invaded Russia which had a which had a population of 5 population of 5 million Jews.million Jews.

Change of Tactics: Change of Tactics: EinsatzgruppenEinsatzgruppen Himmler sent four specially trained SS units Himmler sent four specially trained SS units

called “Einsatzgruppen battalions” into called “Einsatzgruppen battalions” into German occupied territory and shot at least 1 German occupied territory and shot at least 1 million Jews.million Jews.

Victims were taken to deserted areas where Victims were taken to deserted areas where they were made to dig their own graves and they were made to dig their own graves and shot.shot.

When the SS ran out of bullets they sometimes When the SS ran out of bullets they sometimes killed their victims using flame throwers.killed their victims using flame throwers.

Change of Tactics: Change of Tactics: EinsatzgruppenEinsatzgruppen

The ‘Final Solution’The ‘Final Solution’

In January 1942, Himmler In January 1942, Himmler decided to change tactics decided to change tactics once again and called a once again and called a special conference at special conference at Wannsee.Wannsee.

At this conference it was At this conference it was decided that the existing decided that the existing methods were too methods were too inefficient and that a new inefficient and that a new ‘Final Solution’ was ‘Final Solution’ was necessary.necessary.

Wannsee ConferenceWannsee Conference

How was the Final Solution going to

be organised?

Shooting was too inefficient as the bullets were needed for the war

effort

Jews were to be rounded up and put into transit camps called Ghettoes

The Jews living in these Ghettos were to

be used as a cheap source of labour.

Conditions in the Ghettos were designed to be so bad that many

die whilst the rest would be willing to leave these areas in the

hope of better conditions

On arrival the Jews would go through a

process called ‘selection.’

The remaining Jews were to be

shipped to ‘resettlement areas’ in the

East.

Women, children, the old & the sick were to

be sent for ‘special treatment.’

The young and fit would go through a process called

‘destruction through work.’

How did the Nazi How did the Nazi decide who was decide who was Jewish?Jewish?

At the Wannsee conference At the Wannsee conference it was decided that if one of it was decided that if one of person’s parents was Jewish, person’s parents was Jewish, then they were Jewish.then they were Jewish.

However, if only one of their However, if only one of their grandparents had been grandparents had been Jewish then they could be Jewish then they could be classified as being German.classified as being German.

In 1940, all Jews had to have In 1940, all Jews had to have their passports stamped their passports stamped with the letter ‘J’ and had to with the letter ‘J’ and had to wear the yellow Star of wear the yellow Star of David on their jacket or coat.David on their jacket or coat.

Where were the Death Where were the Death Camps built?Camps built?

Why do you think that they located them here?

The work of the Einsatzgruppen

What tactics did the Nazis What tactics did the Nazis use to get the Jews to leave use to get the Jews to leave

the Ghettosthe Ghettos??

Tactics

Starvation

The Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto were

only fed a 1000 calories a day .

A Human being needs 2400 calories a day to maintain their weight

Terror

The SS publicly shot people for smuggling food or for

any act of resistance

Deception

The Jews were told that they were going

to ‘resettlement areas’ in the East.

In some Ghettos the Jews had to purchase their

own train tickets.

They were told to bring the tools of their

trade and pots and pans.

Hungry people are easier to control

New arrivals at the Death camps were given postcards to

send to their friends.

Children Dying of Children Dying of Starvation in the Starvation in the Warsaw GhettoWarsaw Ghetto

SS Tactics: SS Tactics: DehumanisationDehumanisation The SS guards who murdered the Jews were The SS guards who murdered the Jews were

brainwashed with Anti-Semitic propaganda.brainwashed with Anti-Semitic propaganda.

The Jews were transported in cattle cars in The Jews were transported in cattle cars in terrible conditions.terrible conditions.

Naked, dirty and half starved people look like Naked, dirty and half starved people look like animals, which helped to reinforce the Nazi animals, which helped to reinforce the Nazi propaganda.propaganda.

The SS used to train their new guards by The SS used to train their new guards by encouraging them to set fire to a pit full of live encouraging them to set fire to a pit full of live victims – usually children.victims – usually children.

Tactics: What happened to Tactics: What happened to new arrivals?new arrivals?

Deception & Selection

At Auschwitz the trains pulled into a mock up of a normal station.

The Jews were helped off the cattle trucks by Jews who

were specially selected to help the

Nazis

At some death camps the Nazis would play records of classical music to help calm

down the new arrivals.

At Auschwitz the new arrivals were calmed

down by a Jewish orchestra playing classical music.

All new arrivals went through a process

known as ‘selection.’

Mothers, children, the old & sick were sent

straight to the ‘showers’ which were

really the gas chambers.

The able bodied were sent to work camp

were they were killed through a process

known as ‘destruction through work.’

Entrance to Entrance to AuschwitzAuschwitz

Notice how it has been built to resemble a railway station

Auschwitz OrchestraAuschwitz Orchestra

Map of AuschwitzMap of Auschwitz

New Arrivals

‘Destruction Through Work’

‘Showers’

Auschwitz from the airAuschwitz from the airNotice how the Death camp is set out like a

factory complex

The Nazis used industrial methods to murder the Jews and

process their dead bodies

The Gas ChambersThe Gas Chambers The Nazis would force The Nazis would force

large groups of large groups of prisoners into small prisoners into small cement rooms and cement rooms and drop canisters of drop canisters of Zyklon B, or prussic Zyklon B, or prussic acid, in its crystal acid, in its crystal form through small form through small holes in the roof. holes in the roof.

These gas chambers These gas chambers were sometimes were sometimes disguised as showers disguised as showers or bathing houses.or bathing houses.

The SS would try and pack up to 2000 people into this gas chamber

The outside of the Gas The outside of the Gas ChamberChamber

Notice the Ovens easy located near the Gas Chambers

Processing the bodiesProcessing the bodies

Specially selected Jews Specially selected Jews known as the known as the sonderkommando were sonderkommando were used to to remove the used to to remove the gold fillings and hair of gold fillings and hair of people who had been people who had been gassed.gassed.

The Sonderkommando The Sonderkommando Jews were also forced to Jews were also forced to feed the dead bodies feed the dead bodies into the crematorium.into the crematorium.

The Ovens at DachauThe Ovens at Dachau

Dead bodies waiting to be Dead bodies waiting to be processedprocessed

Shoes waiting to be Shoes waiting to be processed by the processed by the sonderkommandosonderkommando

Taken inside a huge glass case in the Auschwitz Museum. This represents one day's collection at the peak of the gassings, about twenty five thousand

pairs.

Destruction Through Destruction Through WorkWork

This photo was taken by the Nazis to show just how you could quite literally work the fat of the Jews by feeding

them 200 calories a day

Destruction Through Destruction Through WorkWork

Same group of Jews 6 weeks later

Was the Final Solution Was the Final Solution successful?successful?

The Nazis aimed to The Nazis aimed to kill 11 million Jews kill 11 million Jews at the Wannsee at the Wannsee Conference in 1941Conference in 1941

Today there are only Today there are only 2000 Jews living in 2000 Jews living in Poland.Poland.

The Nazis managed The Nazis managed to kill at least 6 to kill at least 6 million Jews.million Jews.

Men like Schindler Men like Schindler helped Jews escape the helped Jews escape the Final Solution.Final Solution.

Not all Jews went quietly Not all Jews went quietly into the gas cambers.into the gas cambers.

In 1943, the Warsaw In 1943, the Warsaw Ghetto, like many others Ghetto, like many others revolted against the revolted against the Nazis when the Jews Nazis when the Jews realised what was really realised what was really happening.happening.

The EndThe End

Evil is when a few good men Evil is when a few good men decide to do nothing.decide to do nothing.