Standard: SS6H3 Explain conflict and change in Europe. b. Explain the rise of Nazism including pre- existing prejudices, the use of propaganda, and events that resulted in the Holocaust.

The Holocaust 2

Nazi Germany arose in the wake of the national shame, embarrassment, anger, and resentment resulting from the Treaty of Versailles.

The Nazi political party in 1933, led by Adolf Hitler, seized political control of the country, suppressing all opposition and establishing a dictatorship over all cultural, economic, and political activities of the people. They taught the belief in: *supremacy of Hitler as Führer *aggressive anti-Semitism *natural supremacy of the German people *establishment of Germany by superior force as a dominant world power. The party was officially abolished in 1945 at the conclusion of World War II.

The Gestapo was Nazi Germany’s “Secret State Police.” They often tortured people who had been arrested without charge. It was under the administration of SS leader Heinrich Himmler SS- Schutzstaffel, meaning protection squadron

What is the Holocaust? The persecution and murder of approximately 6 million Jews and millions of non-Jews by the Nazi regime and its followers. 6

Hitler believed that Germans were racially superior and said that Jews were inferior and were a threat to the German Society. 7

Hitler blamed the Jews for everything: 1. Defeat in WWI 2. The Great Depression 3. Fall of Czar in Russia 8

At the beginning of WWII, Jews were taken from their homes and sent to live in ghettos or concentration (death) camps 9

11

Those who could work were forced into slave labor. 13

Those who could NOT work were sent to gas chambers and killed. 14

16

Hitler also killed mentally ill people and physically handicapped people claiming they were “unworthy of life” . 17

Rick Steve’s Europe: Poland Rediscovered Video Clip Auschwitz Video Clip. Play 10:18 – 14:23.

Auschwitz: Drone video of Nazi concentration camp (BBC)

Auschwitz survivors reunited 70 years later (BBC)

Warning The next two slides are of a graphic nature, viewer discretion is advised. 21

22

23

The ratio was 2:3 = Hitler killed 2 out of every 3 European Jews. Many Europeans ignored or refused to believe what was happening during the Holocaust.

Jewish Holocaust death toll as a percentage of the total pre-war Jewish population

Some Europeans tried to save Jews from being killed. Oskar Schindler Some Europeans tried to save Jews from being killed. 26

93-year-old Nazi guard on trial for his role at Auschwitz

TERMS 1. Anti-Semitism – hatred of Jews. 2. Genocide – planned killing of a race of people. 3. Holocaust – Greek word meaning “sacrifice by fire”. 28

Critical Thinking---answer in complete sentences. Explain why the Jews were singled out for extermination? Defend why you believe all Germans did/did not support Hitler’s plan for persecution of the Jews. Support reasoning as to why you think more people didn’t try to help save those being persecuted.