History of the Holocaust

Rise of Nazism Timeline

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Perspective of Holocaust Victims

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Life in Concentration Camps

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Vocabulary

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German Jewish Perspective

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History of Antisemitism

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Essential Questions for The History of the Holocaust

1. What is genocide?
2. What were the factors and events leading up to the Holocaust?
3. What is anti-semitism and when has it occurred throughout history?

The History of the Holocaust

The Great War devastated Germany. After the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, Germany went into a deep depression. The country had to pay reparations for World War I to other countries and limit their military. Economy and industry were debilitated and Germany entered into a hyper-inflationary period. The German people suffered greatly, and blamed their leaders for prolonging the war and then badly negotiating terms in the Treaty of Versailles.

The success of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia spread fears of communist expansion. Many political activists were imprisoned for instigating political unrest. A prevalent attitude among the German people was a preference for an authoritative government or leading body.

Adolf Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, a political manifesto, while serving time in prison for treason. Hitler blamed Germany’s disastrous economy on the Jewish race. After only serving nine months of a five-year sentence, Hitler, a mesmerizing speaker, drummed up enough political power and support to become Chancellor of Germany. His National Socialist Party (Nazi Party) took over and drastically changed Germany.

These activities are meant to help students grasp daunting questions about what lead to the bureaucratic and systematic extermination of the Jews, Romani, homosexuals, and other individuals that the Nazis deemed “undesirable”. Students will be able to represent the causes of the Holocaust and explain how the horrors of the Holocaust came to be.

Check out other lesson plans on history and literature during World War II and Holocaust

• The History of the Holocaust
• Introduction to World War II
• World War II: 1939-1941
• World War II: 1942-1945
• Night by Elie Wiesel
• The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
• The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal
• "First They Came" by Martin Niemoller
• Lily's Crossing By Patricia Reilly Giff
• White Bird by RJ Palacio
• Once by Morris Gleitzman
• Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Frequently Asked Questions about History of the Holocaust

What is the Holocaust and why is it important to teach in schools?

The Holocaust was the systematic genocide by Nazi Germany, killing six million Jews and millions of other victims. Teaching it helps students understand the consequences of hate, prejudice, and authoritarianism, and its impact on world history and current events.

How can teachers introduce the Holocaust to students in an age-appropriate way?

Teachers can introduce the Holocaust using guided discussions, student activities, and essential questions, focusing on empathy and historical context. Age-appropriate resources and sensitivity to students' emotional responses are key.

What factors led to the Holocaust happening in Germany?

Factors leading to the Holocaust included Germany's defeat in World War I, economic depression, resentment over the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of extremist political parties, and widespread anti-Semitism fueled by Nazi propaganda.

What are some effective activities for teaching about the Holocaust in the classroom?

Effective activities include analyzing primary sources, discussing essential questions, using storyboard representations, and exploring survivor testimonies. These approaches help students engage deeply with the history and its lessons.

Why is understanding genocide and anti-Semitism crucial for students today?

Understanding genocide and anti-Semitism is crucial for students to recognize the dangers of intolerance and discrimination, and to promote awareness, empathy, and action against injustice in today's world.