Kristallnacht

Q

What triggered Kristallnacht?

A

In November 1938 a young Jew killed a German diplomat (an official representing a country abroad)

2

Q

How did the Nazis exploit the murder of the German diplomat in Paris?

A

They used it as an excuse to attack Jews

3

Q

What is Kristallnacht also known as?

A

Night of the Broken Glass

4

Q

Who carried out Kristallnacht?

A

SS troopers in plain clothes

5

Q

What were SS troopers issued with to carry out Kristallnacht?

A

Pickaxes and hammers

6

Q

What actually happened on Kristallnacht?

A

SS officers ran riot, smashing up Jewish shops and work places

7

Q

How many Jews were killed, according to the Nazis?

A

91

8

Q

How many Jews were rounded up and taken to a concentration camp?

A

About 30,000

9

Q

How did the Nazi controlled press present Kristallnacht?

A

As a spontaneous uprising of Germans against Jews

10

Q

Did most Germans agree with Kristallnacht?

A

No - many were alarmed by it. But few protested and those who did were often killed.

11

Q

When did Kristallnacht take place?

A

9-10 November 1938

12

Q

How many synagogues were destroyed during Kristallnacht?

A

Over 250

13

Q

Why was Kristallnacht so significant?

A

It was a turning point. Previously persecution of Jews had largely been political, social or economic. Now it was physical - and often ended in murder.

14

Q

What do some people argue about Kristallnacht?

A

They argue that it was the beginning of the Holocaust

15

Q

What did historian Max Rein say about Kristallnacht?

“Kristallnacht came…and everything ______ _________”

A

“Kristallnacht came…and everything was changed.”

16

Q

Who did Hitler blame for Kristallnacht?

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A

The Jews

17

Q

What did Hitler do to the Jews after Kristallnacht?

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A

• He fined them one billion marks (as compensation)

• Jews were banned from attending Aryan schools

• Jews were no longer allowed to own businesses

18

Q

How many Jews were probably actually killed during Kristallnacht?

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A

Around 300