8-What Had Happened to the Jews

What Had Happened to the Jews? :

What happened to Europe’s Jews before the Holocaust? What Had Happened to the Jews?

Do Now:

Do Now Imagine that you are a Jew in Europe during the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Nazis are threatening you with death, solely because of your religion. Which of the following things would you do? (Check all that apply). ___Fight against the Nazis ___Try to run away ___Hide from the Nazis ___Try to leave Europe ___Try to hide your religion ___Cooperate with the Nazis and hope for the best` ___Try to work at a job that is very important so the Nazis can’t kill you ___Try to join the Army so the Nazis won’t kill you ___Try to bribe the Nazis ___Convert to Christianity ___Try to make friends with individual Nazi soldiers ___Other?

Notes:

Notes 1. While marching through Europe, Allied forces discovered many mass graves and abandoned concentration camps. 2. After Hitler took control of Germany, Jews were forced to wear the Star of David on their clothing to identify them as Jews. 3. He forced Jews to wear these stars in concentration camp as well.

Notes:

Notes 4. Soon, Nazis forced Jews to live in walled-off parts of cities, called ghettos.

Notes:

Notes 5. Jews were forced to leave behind their: A. homes and possessions B. friends and family C. schools, jobs, and lives The Warsaw (Poland) ghetto shortly after liquidation, with many possessions still laying in the streets.

Notes:

Notes 6. In 1942, Hitler and the Nazi leadership came up with what they called the “Final Solution” to the “Jewish problem.” 7. The Final Solution involved the systematic extermination (controlled killing) of ALL Jews in the world. A Nazi guard about to execute the last Jew left alive in Vinica , Ukraine

Notes:

Notes 8. Six million Jews were killed by the Nazis, an event in history known as the Holocaust. The Holocaust Memorial in downtown Boston. Each of the 6 towers represents 1 million victims.

Slide 8:

Historical Context: After Hitler took control of Germany, he forced Jews and other minorities to wear badges identifying their race. Soon, Nazi soldiers forced Jews to live in walled-off communities called ghettos. One ghetto—the Warsaw ghetto in Poland—was home to a rebellion against Nazi rule. In 1942, Hitler and the Nazi leadership came up with a “final solution.” They decided that they would exterminate all Jews in concentration camps. Across Europe, Jews were herded onto trains, and sent to Nazi death camps.

Slide 9:

Document 1

Document 2:

Document 2 —from the memoir of Bronia Beker , Holocaust survivor

Document 3:

Document 3

Slide 12:

Document 4