Activity Overview
Why didn’t the Jews leave Germany when the Nazis came to Power?
In this activity, students will create a spider map that answers the question, “Why didn’t the Jews leave Nazi Germany?” This frequently asked question is less difficult to answer than many might think at first glance. There were very practical reasons why Jews could not leave Nazi-controlled Europe. Understanding these reasons is not only helpful for understanding the time period, it can also be helpful in analyzing other, similar situations in history.
Students will be required to complete some research before creating their spider maps. A great place to start research on this activity is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Why didn’t the Jews Leave Nazi Germany?
- Difficult Emigration Bureaucracy
- Hope
- Hard to Find Safe Havens
- Patriotism
- Financially Impossible
Extended Activity
For an extended activity, students will create a storyboard that focuses on a specific individual or family who attempted to leave Germany. In addition, students could create a storyboard that focuses on the ship the St. Louis. This ship left Germany in 1939 full of Jewish refugees. It eventually had to return to Europe because no nation in the Americas would take the refugees. The USHMM is a good place to begin research on the St. Louis.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard analyzing the reasons the Jews didn't leave Nazi Germany.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the different reasons the Jews did not leave Germany.
- In the description boxes, explain the reason.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Why didn’t the Jews leave Germany when the Nazis came to Power?
In this activity, students will create a spider map that answers the question, “Why didn’t the Jews leave Nazi Germany?” This frequently asked question is less difficult to answer than many might think at first glance. There were very practical reasons why Jews could not leave Nazi-controlled Europe. Understanding these reasons is not only helpful for understanding the time period, it can also be helpful in analyzing other, similar situations in history.
Students will be required to complete some research before creating their spider maps. A great place to start research on this activity is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Why didn’t the Jews Leave Nazi Germany?
- Difficult Emigration Bureaucracy
- Hope
- Hard to Find Safe Havens
- Patriotism
- Financially Impossible
Extended Activity
For an extended activity, students will create a storyboard that focuses on a specific individual or family who attempted to leave Germany. In addition, students could create a storyboard that focuses on the ship the St. Louis. This ship left Germany in 1939 full of Jewish refugees. It eventually had to return to Europe because no nation in the Americas would take the refugees. The USHMM is a good place to begin research on the St. Louis.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard analyzing the reasons the Jews didn't leave Nazi Germany.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the different reasons the Jews did not leave Germany.
- In the description boxes, explain the reason.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about German Jewish Perspective
Plan a class discussion to explore students’ emotional reactions to the reasons Jews stayed in Nazi Germany
Encourage your class to share honest feelings and personal reflections about the difficult choices faced by Jews during the Nazi era. This helps build empathy and deepen historical understanding by connecting facts to emotions and values.
Set clear expectations for respectful dialogue
Remind students to listen actively, avoid judgment, and respect differing perspectives. Setting ground rules upfront ensures a safe and supportive classroom environment for discussing sensitive topics.
Use guiding questions to prompt thoughtful conversation
Prepare open-ended prompts like, “How might you feel if you were in a similar situation?” or “What factors would make leaving your home difficult?” Guiding questions help students connect history to their own lives and deepen critical thinking.
Encourage students to relate historical dilemmas to current events
Ask students to consider modern examples of forced migration or refugee crises. Making connections to today’s world fosters relevance and engages students in broader conversations about human rights and decision-making under pressure.
Wrap up by summarizing key insights and reinforcing empathy
Close the discussion with a brief recap of major takeaways. Emphasize the importance of empathy in understanding historical events and encourage students to apply these lessons to future learning and their own communities.
Frequently Asked Questions about German Jewish Perspective
Why didn't Jews leave Nazi Germany when the Nazis came to power?
Jews often could not leave Nazi Germany due to strict emigration laws, financial barriers, limited safe destinations, hope that conditions would improve, and a sense of patriotism or attachment to their homeland. Many faced insurmountable obstacles making escape nearly impossible.
What were the main reasons Jews couldn't emigrate from Nazi Germany?
Major reasons included complicated emigration bureaucracy, lack of financial resources, difficulty finding countries willing to accept refugees, hope for better times, and strong ties to their communities or country.
How can students research why Jews stayed in Nazi Germany?
Students can start by exploring resources like the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for historical documents, survivor testimonies, and case studies that explain the complex factors behind Jewish emigration during the Holocaust.
What is a spider map activity for understanding Jewish emigration during the Holocaust?
A spider map activity involves creating a visual diagram with the central question (e.g., 'Why didn’t the Jews leave Nazi Germany?') and connecting branches that represent different reasons, helping students organize and analyze information.
What is the story of the St. Louis ship and its significance?
The St. Louis was a ship carrying Jewish refugees from Germany in 1939. Denied entry by the Americas, it was forced to return to Europe, symbolizing the desperate situation and limited options for Jews trying to escape Nazi persecution.
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