History - THE HOLOCAUST

Origins of antisemitism

• Antisemitism (prejudice against Jews) existed in Europe for centuries — rooted in religious, economic, and racial stereotypes.

• Hitler leaned off the idea that the Jews are always ‘powerful’

• Jews were often blamed for social or economic problems, e.g. “killing Christ,” causing plagues, or controlling money.

• Became the scapegoat for anything bad

LIFE UNDER NAZIS

• 1933: Hitler became Chancellor → began state-sponsored persecution of Jews.

• Propaganda (posters, films, newspapers) portrayed Jews as dangerous and inferior.

• Boycotts of Jewish businesses and exclusion from public life.

• Jews were forced to wear the Star of David and had property seized.

• Daily life became impossible: banned from schools, jobs, and public spaces.

Numremberg race laws

Oppression before start of WWII

Kristallnacht

Ghetto

Concentration and death camps

The final solution

The Nazi plan to exterminate European jews. It replaced attempts at deportation with somatic murder.

Death toll: 6 million Jews

Methodology:

• mass shootings

• mobile gas vans

• death camps

Ended with Nazi defeat.

Resistance, physical

physical resistance

• Organised escapes

• Non-compliance with demands

• Legal smuggling of food

• Education

Resistance, spiritual

spiritual resistance - amidah

• Maintaining humanity

• Personal integrity

• Dignity

• Sense of civilisation

• Cultural education and activities, maintenance of documentation and villages observances