Holocaust Key Terms and Facts

The Holocaust

The systematic, state-sponsored genocide during WWII in which the Nazi regime, led by Adolf Hitler, attempted to eliminate the Jewish population of Europe.

Time period of the Holocaust

Took place from 1942-1945, during WWII

Number of Victims

Approximately six million Jews were killed, along with millions of others

Nazi ideology

The Nazis believed in a racist antisemitic ideology thinking that Jews and other groups were inferior to “Aryan.” This led to the belief that these groups needed to be eliminated to protect the “purity” of the German race.

“Final Solution”

This was the Nazi plan to exterminate all Jews and other “undesirables”

Mein Kampf

“My Struggle” (1925-1926): outlined Hitler’s antisemitic ideologies and gained him popularity and followers.

Antisemitism

The hostility and prejudice against Jewish people.

The Nazi Party

The radical far-right movement and political party led by Hitler. (National Socialist German Workers’ Party)

Third Reich

Refers to the Nazi rule of Germany from 1933-1945.

Aryan

Hitler was obsessed with a “pure German race” - the ideal Aryan had pale skin, blue eyes, and blond hair.

SS

The elite guard of the Nazi regime.

Genocide

The deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation of ethnic group.