The Holocaust

Holocaust: What was it? Nazis believed they were superior Hitler wanted master race - Aryans - blonde hair, blue eyed Mass Murder of Jews and other “Undesirables” About 11 million in total killed 6 million Jews - 5 million gypsies, homosexuals, and disabled people

The Beginning Anti-semitism- hostility or prejudice against Jews Hitler blamed Jews for all of Germany’s issues 1933- Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany Encouraged boycotts of Jewish business Instituted Nuremberg Laws - no German citizenship, Jews cannot marry non-Jews, segregated Jews

Kristallnacht “Night of the Broken Glass” November 9, 1938 Government supported attacks on Jews 1,500 synagogues & 7,500 Jewish businesses destroyed, 200 Jews killed over 600 more injured

Jews flee Germany 1933-1937- about 129,000 Jews fled Germany and Austria Most Jews were not welcomed into other countries Many were turned away and/or sent back to Germany

The Final Solution Systematic extermination of all Jews living under the Third Reich Auschwitz, Buchenwald, and Dachau- worst 3 concentration camps Prisoners were executed, forced to work, forced to endure experiments, and starved

Nazi Death Camps Before killing had been arbitrary in the camps Wannsee conference January 1942 - plan to murder 11 million Jews Some camps became Death Camps - were Jews were sent to be killed Gas chambers - carbon monoxide or Zyklon B Human fat turned into soap, hair woven into mattresses, slippers, etc valuable items taken by soldiers

Allies and the Holocaust Initially countries did not allow Jewish immigrants 1943 Bermuda conference - American & British met to discuss rescuing the surviving prisoners Bombed rail lines but initially were focused on stopping Hitler - not saving Jews Eventually, Allies began to liberate the Death Camps 1948- Israel recognized by US as the Jewish State