Background Information Presentation English 8 Mrs. Gulstad Hopkins North Junior High Voices We Must Hear

A Look at Some Symbols What do the following symbols mean? How do they make you feel? ABC D

A Brief History of the Swastika It is an ancient symbol that has been used for 3,000 years to symbolize life, the sun, power, strength, and good luck. It is an ancient symbol that has been used for 3,000 years to symbolize life, the sun, power, strength, and good luck. Swastikas can be found in the Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, and Native American cultures (as well as many others). Swastikas can be found in the Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, and Native American cultures (as well as many others). Buddha in Hong Kong Sacred Hindu symbol Ancient coins from Troy (right) Good luck coin (below) Good luck postcard gavroche.org/prdb/archives/ html

More Non-Nazi Swastikas Coca-Cola watch ornament (1925) Tennessee quilt (Late 1800s) Edmonton Girls’ Hockey Team (1916) Finnish Air Force (until 1945) Glendale, CA lamp post (1920s)Pokemon card (1999) gavroche.org/prdb/archives/ htmlhttp://

See the Difference? The sauvastika is generally associated with misfortune and bad luck. The swastika is generally associated with fortune and good luck. Hitler’s version is the “good luck” version turned on its side. Even though it’s technically the “good” symbol, it has become the “bad” symbol.

The Nazis Hijack the Swastika In 1920, Hitler decided that the Nazi Party needed its own insignia and flag. He said it had to be a symbol of Germany’s struggle and also had to be effective on posters. In 1920, Hitler decided that the Nazi Party needed its own insignia and flag. He said it had to be a symbol of Germany’s struggle and also had to be effective on posters. Because of the Nazi flag, the swastika became a symbol of hate, antisemitism, violence, death, and murder. Because of the Nazi flag, the swastika became a symbol of hate, antisemitism, violence, death, and murder.

So, What is Anti-Semitism? The following is an excerpt from a Nazi children’s book put out by Julius Stricher, who specialized in anti-Semitic propaganda. (He was tried at Nuremberg and executed for his role in the Holocaust, by the way.) A mother and her young boy are gathering mushrooms in the German forest. The boy finds some poisonous ones. The mother explains that there are good mushrooms and poisonous ones, and, as they go home, says, "Look, Franz, human beings in this world are like the mushrooms in the forest. There are good mushrooms and there are good people. There are poisonous, bad mushrooms and there are bad people. And we have to be on our guard against bad people just as we have to be on guard against poisonous mushrooms. Do you understand that?"

Anti-Semitism Explained Technically, anti-Semitism means hatred of or hostility toward any member of the racial group “Semites,” such as Arabs, Jews, and Ethiopians. Technically, anti-Semitism means hatred of or hostility toward any member of the racial group “Semites,” such as Arabs, Jews, and Ethiopians. In practice, it is used to refer to hatred of or hostility toward Jews and Judaism. In practice, it is used to refer to hatred of or hostility toward Jews and Judaism. The term itself was coined in 1879 by journalist Wilhelm Marr. The actual hatred is much older than the word, however. The term itself was coined in 1879 by journalist Wilhelm Marr. The actual hatred is much older than the word, however.

Anti-Semitism Explained The big question is, of course, “Why?” The “Big Six” Theories Used to Explain Anti-Semitism Wealth and powerWealth and power God’s chosen peopleGod’s chosen people Historical scapegoatsHistorical scapegoats DeicideDeicide Different lifestyleDifferent lifestyle Inferior raceInferior race Some debate these theories and see them as excuses, not reasons, for anti-Semitism. At any rate, what’s important to remember is that Jews were persecuted just for being Jewish. This is RACISM and is UNACCEPTABLE.

The Nazi Obsession with Race

Examples of the Jewish Badge France Belgium Holland Germany Slovakia Romania Several countries, including Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Greece, Lithuania, and Latvia

Who Were the Other Five Million? Non-Jewish Poles They had a country that Hitler wanted. They had a country that Hitler wanted. They were held prisone in their own country. They were held prisone in their own country. They were forced into slave labor or killed. The educated class was especially targeted. They were forced into slave labor or killed. The educated class was especially targeted. The young men were drafted into the German army. The young men were drafted into the German army. Blond children were “Germanized” and trained to be Nazi supporters. Blond children were “Germanized” and trained to be Nazi supporters. About 900,000 died. About 900,000 died.

Who Were the Other Five Million? Jehovah’s Witnesses They refused to acknowledge any other god other than Jehovah. They refused to acknowledge any other god other than Jehovah. They efused to sign documents of loyalty to the Nazi ideology. They efused to sign documents of loyalty to the Nazi ideology. Many saw Hitler as Satan or the Anti-Christ. Many saw Hitler as Satan or the Anti-Christ. They were forced to wear purple armbands. They were forced to wear purple armbands. Thousands were imprisoned as “dangerous” traitors. Thousands were imprisoned as “dangerous” traitors. About 6,500 were killed. About 6,500 were killed

Who Were the Other Five Million? Roma/Gypsies They were a nomadic people who, like the Jews, were persecuted throughout history. They were a nomadic people who, like the Jews, were persecuted throughout history. Like Jews, they were denied certain privileges. Like Jews, they were denied certain privileges. They were seen as racially inferior and worthless, just as the Jews were. They were seen as racially inferior and worthless, just as the Jews were. Almost the entire Eastern European Gypsy population was wiped out. Almost the entire Eastern European Gypsy population was wiped out

Who Were the Other Five Million? Courageous Resisters These people refused to go along with Hitler’s plans. These people refused to go along with Hitler’s plans. Many were arrested or killed for acting against the Nazis. Many were arrested or killed for acting against the Nazis. The “Righteous Among the Nations” or “Righteous Gentiles” were non-Jews who hid or assisted Jews during the Holocaust because they believed it was the right thing to do. The “Righteous Among the Nations” or “Righteous Gentiles” were non-Jews who hid or assisted Jews during the Holocaust because they believed it was the right thing to do

Who Were the Other Five Million? Christian Priests and Pastors Because they were influential leaders in their communities, they were sought out early. Because they were influential leaders in their communities, they were sought out early. They were considered a threat to Hitler because of their beliefs (Hitler wanted people to worship Nazi ideology). They were considered a threat to Hitler because of their beliefs (Hitler wanted people to worship Nazi ideology). Many risked their lives to help Jews and openly oppose the Nazis. Many risked their lives to help Jews and openly oppose the Nazis. Most were allowed to die slowly in the camps of starvation and disease. Most were allowed to die slowly in the camps of starvation and disease. Father Jacques, who protected many Jews in a school in France. After being arrested, he was imprisoned in several camps before being liberated. Suffering from TB and weighing 75 pounds, he died several weeks later.

Who Were the Other Five Million? Homosexuals Hitler said they threatened German morality, military strength, purity, and procreation. Hitler said they threatened German morality, military strength, purity, and procreation. They were the outcasts of the outcasts in the camps. They were the outcasts of the outcasts in the camps. The Nazis searched their ranks and sent suspected homosexuals to camps wearing their uniforms and medals (or, they were executed). The Nazis searched their ranks and sent suspected homosexuals to camps wearing their uniforms and medals (or, they were executed). They were forced to wear pink triangles so they could be easily recognized and further humiliated and tortured. They were forced to wear pink triangles so they could be easily recognized and further humiliated and tortured. Approximately 60,000 were killed. Approximately 60,000 were killed.

Who Were the Other Five Million? The Disabled Hitler deemed these people “unworthy to live,” including “cripples,” alcoholics, epileptics, the mentally ill, children with Down’s Syndrome, those with physical deformities, and cancer sufferers. Hitler deemed these people “unworthy to live,” including “cripples,” alcoholics, epileptics, the mentally ill, children with Down’s Syndrome, those with physical deformities, and cancer sufferers. They were seen as a waste of time and money. They were seen as a waste of time and money. About 200,000 were put to death during a euthanasia program called “T4,” which was carried out between About 200,000 were put to death during a euthanasia program called “T4,” which was carried out between Many of the doctors involved went on to work in the death camps, having “practiced” their art. Many of the doctors involved went on to work in the death camps, having “practiced” their art. “…because God cannot want the sick and ailing to reproduce.”

Who Were the Other Five Million? Afro-Europeans The French brought black African soldiers to Europe during WWI. Some of them married white German women and had children. The French brought black African soldiers to Europe during WWI. Some of them married white German women and had children. Hitler considered these children to be an insult to the German nation because they ruined the purity of the race. Hitler considered these children to be an insult to the German nation because they ruined the purity of the race. About 400 children were taken from their homes without parental permission and brought to a hospital to be sterilized. About 400 children were taken from their homes without parental permission and brought to a hospital to be sterilized

Who Were the Other Five Million? Others Communists Communists Socialists Socialists Journalists Journalists Prisoners of War from many countries Prisoners of War from many countries Spouses of Jews (they had to choose between divorce and concentration camps) Spouses of Jews (they had to choose between divorce and concentration camps) Anyone else who opposed Hitler and the Nazi ideology Anyone else who opposed Hitler and the Nazi ideology

Prisoner Markings in Camps

First They Came for the Jews First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. to speak out for me. —Pastor Martin Niemöller Pastor Niemöller was a Protestant pastor and head of the anti-Nazi Confessing Church. Arrested for "malicious attacks against the state,” he spent seven years in the Dachau and Sachsenhausen. Released in 1945 by the Allies, he helped issue the "Stuttgart Confession," which acknowledged that the clergy had not done enough in the struggle against the Nazis.

The Shoah Foundation Shoah Foundation Video Testimony Viewer Testimony Viewer Voices of the Holocaust: Children Speak Voices of the Holocaust: Children Speak