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Studied by 4 people
history - the holocaust
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the pyramid of hatred
if people or institutions treat behaviour as being acceptable or normal, it results in the behaviours at the next level becoming more accepted
when we challenge those biased attitudes and behaviours in ourselves, others and institutions, we can interrupt the escalation of bias and make it more difficult for discrimination and hate to flourish
as you go up the pyramid the “hate“ increases with the top being genocide and the bottom is prejudiced attitudes
it’s easier to speak out or intervene when the hatred is at its lower levels as it can discourage others from joining in before it becomes a bigger problem
Definition of the Holocaust
The holocaust was the systematic, state-engineered genocide of the Jewish people by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, resulting in the murder of approximately 6 million Jewish people, including one and a half million children. At the same time, other groups were persecuted by the Nazi regime and their collaborators
Judaism
The central principle of this monotheistic faith is the belief in on God: the all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-present
Community is central to belief
the jewish prayer book uses we and ours in prayers rather than I and mine
A lot of Jewish religious life is based around the home and family - shabbat is a family experience
Respect for parents and grandparents is stressed
Prayers traditionally happen 3 times a day
Must come from the heart
A place of worship is a synagogue
Judaism is very diverse, there are many people who identify as Jewish without necessarily believing in, or observing in any jewish law.
Shabbat
A holy day, observing it is an important custom which is considered a gift from god
A day of rest and spiritual enrichment
Occurs each week from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday
Spiritual resistance
The Germans forbade religious services in most ghettos, so many Jews prayed and held ceremonies in secret - in cellars, attics and back rooms - as others stood guard
In Warsaw alone in 1930, 600 Jewish prayer groups existed
Rabbinical authorities adjudicated religious disputes on the basis of religious law and attempted to adapt this law to the changed and difficult circumstances in which the community found itself
Prayer helped sustain morale, reaffirmed a cultural and religious identity and supplied spiritual comfort
Many Orthodox Jews who opposed the use of physical force viewed prayer and religious observances as the truest form of resistance
Evolution of the Nazi Party
In jan 1919, shortly after the end of the first world war, Anton Drezler founded the german workers’ party
the part initially met weekly in a beer hall in Munich and advocated a range of extremist ideas, including hostility to the Treaty of Versailles, nationalism concern about the nation’s moral standards and changing culture, and extremist antisemitism
On 24 feb 1920, the german worker’s party changed its name to the national socialist german worker’s party (NSDAP), more commonly referred to as the Nazi Party
They were in extreme economical conflict so something like this was inevitable (?)
they also lost the war so they were looking for somebody to blame
Adolf Hitler
in september 1919, Adolf Hitler joined the newly formed German Workers’ party after attending one of their meetings
Hitler was a charismatic speaker and he was soon invited to join the party committee
He became responsible for recruitment and propaganda and organised large party rallies, where he would give speeches
Hitler pushed for an overhaul of the party structure, replacing the democratic committee with a single leader who would have ultimate control over(a dictator)
This proposal was rejected
On 11 July 1920, after a disagreement about merging with another party, Hitler resigned and left the party
Histler stated he would only return if he was made party chairman, with dicatorial powers
realising the loss of their main speaker could potentially ruin the party, Anton Drexler and the committee agreed to Hitler’s demands and hitler became party chairman
Hitler’s Rise
Political | Economic | Social |
The treaty of Versailles | Frustration | |
Wall street crash
germany was particularly badly affected because of it’s dependence on American loans from 1924 onwards. As the loans were recalled, the economy in Germany sunk into a deep depression
Wages feel by 39% from 1929 to 1932
People in full time employment fell from 20 million in 1929, to just over 11 million in 1933
In the same period, over 10,000 businesses closed every year
As a result of this, the amount of people in poverty increased sharply
the depression associated economic failure and a decline in living standards with the weimar democracy
When combines with the resulting political instability, it left people feeling disillusioned with the Weimar Republic’s democracy and looking for a change
Electoral Success
The nazi party gained very little in the 1928 elections
They won just 2.6% of the vote, gaining them 12 seats in the Reichstag
In 1930, the Nazis attracted eight times more votes than in 1928
They managed to secure 18.3% of the vote, and 107 seats in the Reichstag
In February 1932, Hitler ran against Hindenburg to become president
The propaganda campaign presented Hitler as a new, dynamic and modern leader for Germany
To emphasise this point, Hitler flew from venue to venue via aeroplane
Hitler lost the election with 36.8% of the vote to Hindenburg’s 53%
Despite losing, people now viewed Hitler as a credible politician
Following another Reichstag election in July 1932, the Nazis became the largest party with 230 seats and 37.3% of the vote
Hitler was not immediately appointed chancellor after the success of the July 1932 elections, despite being leader of the largest party in the Reichstag
It took the economic and political instability (with 2 more chancellors failing to stabilise the situation) to worsen, to convince Hindenburg to appoint Hitler
Hitler was sworn in as the chancellor of Germany on the 30 January 1933
The Nazis were now in power
Which of these factors was most important in Hitler’s rise to power?
The global economic situation (great depression). Germany’s domestic economic and political condition. Hitler’s skill as an orator and propagandist
Nazi in power
In 1933 , the Nazi part and its leader Adolf Hitler, gained power in Germany
The Nazis won power by promising to revolutionise the country and restore its best qualities
By the end of 1934 Germany had become a 1 party state under Nazi control
Adolf Hitler declared himself not only the nations chancellor but also its fǔher
What is the origin of increased persecution (1933-1939)
Nazi Beliefs about Jews
The Nazis had strong beliefs about race
they believed that Germans were part of an Aryan ‘master race‘ that was naturally superior compared to all others
Jews were one of many races, alongside groups such as Sinti and Roma, who were regarded by the nazis as ‘inferior‘
The Nazis argued that ‘inferior‘ races could corrupt the German Aryan master race and weaken the country
They were determined to create a Volksgemeinschaft - a “national community“ or literally a “people’s community“
In his book Mein Kampf, Hitler described the foundation he sought for the national community, a foundation based on false myths about race:
Everything we admire on this earth today - science and art, technology and inventions - is only the creative product of a few peoples and originally perhaps one race [the “Aryans“]
On them depends the existence of this whole culture
If they perish, the beauty of this earth will skink into the grave with them
The nazis championed antisemitism and regarded Jews, unlike most other ‘inferior’ and regarded Jews, unlike most other inferior races, as mortal enemies of Germany and Europe
It was believed that Jews shared responsibility for every problem faced by Germany were part of an international Jewish conspiracy (secret plans to do something bad) which mainly targeted Germany
How is increased persecution spread and embodied?
Isolating Germany’s Jews
Antisemitic persecution began very quickly after the Nazis came to power in Germany
Nazi persecution of jews continued throughout their years in power but also changed in nature over that time
Violent against Jews was not very common in Germany from 1933-1937
Instead during these years the Nazis forced multiple actions to isolate Jews from the rest of the German society
To spread: Propaganda
Propaganda was one of the most important tools the Nazis used to shape the beliefs and attitudes of the German public
through posters, film, radio, museum exhibits and other media, they bombarded the German public with messages designed to build support for and gain acceptance of their vision for the future of Germany
Propoganda relies on
half truths or lies
omitting information selectively
simplifying complex issues or ideas
emotions and advertising a cause
attacking opponents
targeting desired audiences
Embodiment - Anti jewish legislation
In the first 6 years of Adolf Hitler’s dictatoriship, Jews felt the effects of decrees and regulations on all aspects of their lived
The regulations gradually but systemically took away their rights and property, transforming them from German citizens into residents of Germany
1933-1934: limited participation in public life [public policies]
the "Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service“ meant many Jewish doctors, lawyers, newspaper editors, teachers and professors were dismissed from their jobs.
1935: racial theory became law [Nuremberg laws]
The Nuremberg laws determined who could be a citizen and prohibited marriage between Jews and Germans.
They laid the foundation for further discrimination.
1936-1938:
"Aryanisation" meant the dismissal of Jewish workers and managers of a company and the takeover of Jewish-owned businesses by non-Jewish Germans
Jewish doctors were forbidden from treating non-Jews.
Jews were barred from all public schools and universities, as well as from cinemas, theatres, and sports facilities
In many cities, Jews were forbidden to enter designated "Aryan" zones.
1937-1938: increased segregation
Nuremberg laws
The Reich citizenship law
te law defined a citizen as a person who is “of German or related blood“
this meant that Jews defined as a seperate race, could not be full citizens of Germany
They had no political rights
Only racially pure Germans were allowed to hold German citizenship
escalation after 1939
in 1939 World war 2 began in europe
the beginning of the conflict was triggered by the aggressive expansion of Nazi Germany
the war allowed the Nazis to extend their power significantly
In 1938 and 1939, before the outbreak of WW2, Nazi rule was extended over Austria and Czechoslovakia
In late 1939, Nazi Germany gained control over western Poland
over the course of 1940, much of western europe, including the Netherlands and France, fell under Nazi rule
further victories in 1941 left large areas of southerneaster Europe and Eastern Europe - including considerable territory in the soviet union (USSR)- under german occupation,
The jewish questions
the Nazi’s success in expanding the territory under German control also created new complications for the Nazis regarding the ‘Jewish questions‘
For Nazis, the Jewish Questions referred to to the belief that the existence of Jews in Germany threatened the state and needed to be resolved
Nazi persecution pressures many Jews into emigrating during the 1930, reducing the jewish population of germany
However territorial expansion after 1939 bought new jewish population under their rule
before 1939, nazi germany persecution of Jews had mainly focused on encouraging emigration
After 1939, persecution developed to focus on forced deportations, the creations of ghettos and the Nazi’s evential commitment to kill all Jews
stage of the holocaust
planning and propaganda: 1933-1939
Expression and violence: September 1939 - june 1941
Dedication to mass killing: 1941-1944
The death march: 1944-1945
Ghettoisation
As nazi germany expanded from 1939-1941, the number of Jews living under its control grew, leading to more extreme persecution by the Nazis and their collaborators
Nazis targeted Jews using policies of ghettoisation and forced relocation
Both of these measures physically removed Jewish populations from their homes and communities
They attempted to segregate and isolate them from non-Jews
The prelude and bridge
Ghettos were established by the Nazis as a temporary measure while the top leadership were considering long term options
They are transitional phase in the persecution
Ghettoes served to concentrate large Jewish populations in specific areas, usually crowded, unsanitary and often walled-off districts of cities, making them easier to control and crucially to round up for later deportation whereby they were primarily transported to various camps
The final solution
from 1941 onwards, Nazi persecution became focused on on the murder of all Jews in Europe
The plan, which the Nazi’s believed would ‘resolve‘ the ‘Jewish question‘ was referred as the ‘Final solution‘
After the german army invaded the soviet union on June 22, 1931 a new stage in the Holocaust began
Under cover of war and confident of victory, the Germans turned from the forced emigration and imprisonment of jews to mass murder
Death March
In late 1944 and early 1945 as allied forces advanced on Nazi-occupied territories, the Nazis forced prisoners in all concentration camps and sub camps to evacuate toward the interior of the Reich
even as the war was clearly being lost, the could continue to be used as slave labourers in arment factories or other industries
to stop them from being witnesses and telling on the nazis
wanting to hide evidence of their crimes
maintaining control over prisoners provided a “mission“ or a reason to not be sent directly to the collapsing front lines
some survivors even notes that the marches provided a “protection“ as it gave the soldiers a chance to do something else
some nazi leaders held irrational beliefs that they could use the jewish concentration camp prisoners as bargaining chips to negotiate a seperate peace with the western allies, thus ensuring the survival of the Nazi regime
key reasons behind death marches
to prevent prisoners from falling into allied hands
to continue exploiting labor
to maintain control and order
to continue the process of extermination
to use prisoners as hostages (a less rational belief)
victims
6 M Jews were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust
the victims of the Holocaust came from a wide-range of backgrounds, meaning there were many differences between them including
nationality
age
person identity
Nationality
most holocaust victims came from Eastern and central europe, where the majority of Europe’s Jews lived
the nazis aimed to exterminate all of Europe’s Jews so victims came from across the whole continent
Age
Jews of all ages were targeted for murder including children
amongst the jews imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto were 200 orphaned children living in Janusz Korczak orphanage
In 1942, Korczak - age 63 - and ‘his children‘ were sent to the Treblinka extermination camp where they were gassed to death
Personal identity
the nazis identified jews in ways that did not always conform with individiauls own complex sense of identity
Edith stein was born into a jewish family
in 1922, she converted from Judaism to Catholicism
Edith remained proud of her Jewish heritage but committed to her new faith by becoming a nun
In 1942, despite her religion, Sten was sent to Auschwitz where she was murdered
Violent resistance
far from being a common response, there were still many instances of armed of forceful Jewish attempts to oppose the persecution they faces
resistance in ghettos
In warsaws the jewish comat organisationorganised a major uprising in the city’s ghetto in 1943
ghetto uprisings were mostly fought ro resist deportations to extermination camps
resistance in extermination camps
Uprisings by unmates occurred in three extermination camps": at treblinka (1943), Sobibor (1943) and auschwitz (1944)
at treblinka jewish inmates seized guns from the camps armoury
300 inmates escaped but many were subsequently caught and murdered
only 70 escapees survived the way
Resistance by partisans
some jews who were not imprisoned joined Jewish and no jewish partisan groups across europe
this was most common in forested and mountainous areas, where it was easy to hid
partisans often placed bombs on german railroads, nlew up troo trans, cit telephone lines, attacked ploice and govern,ent posts and seixed supplu truech
Nonviolent resistance
non-violent resistance by Jews was more common than violent resistance during the Holocauset
this resistance included efforts imply to survive but also to resist attempts by the nazis and their collaborators to degrade Jewish people, isolate them and destroy their culture
Smuggling
Ghetto residents frequently smuggled food, medicine, weapons or intelligence across the ghetto walls
these and other such activities often took place without the knowledge or approval of the jewish councils
on the other hand some jewish councils and some individual council members tolerated or encouraged the smuggling because the goods were necessary to keep ghetto residents alive