The Holocaust: How did it happen?

Process of Victimization Systematic procedure of taking an identified group from citizen to subject to victim. Not pre-planned by Hitler and the Nazis. Logical progression of “problem-solving.” Don’t necessarily proceed “in order” but all occurred.

Step 1 – Identification In September 1935, Hitler passes laws titled “Reich Citizenship Law” and the “Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor.” They set up a specific definition for Jews.

A. Definition 3 grandparents or 2 grandparents and the person a. Belonged to a Jewish community on 9/15/35, or b. Married a Jew, or c. Was the offspring of a marriage contracted with a ¾ Jew or full Jew after the law passed, or d. Offspring of an extra-marital relationship of a ¾ Jew or full Jew and was born after 7/31/36. Mischlinge: 1st Degree (2 Jewish Grandparents) Mischlinge: 2nd Degree (1 Jewish Grandparent)

B. Approved Name Lists There were 185 approved male names and 91 approved female names. If your name was not on the list, you had to adopt the middle name of “Israel” or “Sarah.”

C. Passports marked with a “J”

D. Star of David Must be Worn

Step 2 - Propaganda A. Movies were made portraying the “evil” nature of Jews.

B. “Germans don’t buy from Jews” – German slogan

C. Songs America, America Oh Jewish Land America You are certainly conceited are A big fat pig, that’s what you are. America, America You are diseased, you are a dupe, America, America You are naïve, a nincompoop America, America Oh Jewish Land America

D. Education is Changed 1. All Aryan young people required to join the Hitler Youth. Legal guardians could be fined or imprisoned for preventing, or attempting to prevent, any young person from serving.

2. School Curriculum was Changed.

Step 3 – Removal of Possessions A series of laws were passed in Germany eliminating any legal authority of the Jewish people. All property rights were removed.

A. Jews were not allowed to work in the Civil Service

“Law against the Overcrowding of German Schools and Institutions of Higher Learning” passed.

C. Jewish Property was Confiscated.

Step 4 – Isolation Separate the group from the rest of society. A. Curfews were installed. Jews were forbidden to be outside after 8 PM in the Winter and 9 PM in the Summer.

B. Ghettos were established.

Step 5 – Deportation Removal of the victim to a high security area assures no interference.

Step 6 - Dehumanization

Selection – people were divided according to their ability to work.

Personal belongings were taken from them.

Everyone was given the same uniform.

Names were replaced by numbers.

Everyone became the same.

Gas Chambers

The Ovens

6,000,000 Jews were killed.

X 300 = 6,000,000 19, 980 people fit in The Rose Garden

Genocide Deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.