1. Primo Levi
Survival in Auschwitz

2. Primo Levi Background Basic Facts: Born in Turin, Italy in 1919
Died 1987
May have been a suicide
Graduated from University of Turin
Bachelor’s in Science
Worked in a pharmaceutical laboratory until 1943
Nazi’s invaded Northern Italy

3. Trading in glasses for a gun
Joined a rebel group against Germans and Italian Fascists in Italy
Betrayed by own men
Turned over to Germans
Served in Auschwitz until Russian Army advanced
Germans tried to move as many as they could
Levi left because of illness – saved his life

4. Auschwitz Concentration Camp

5. By the Numbers Said to be the largest camp of its kind
In total, approximately
1.1 million Jews were deported to Auschwitz. 
At least
960,000 Jews were killed in Auschwitz.
 Other victims included approximately 395,000
74,000 Poles,
21,000 Roma (Gypsies)
15,000 Soviet prisoners of war
10,000-15,000 members of other nationalities (Soviet civilians, Czechs, Yugoslavs, French, Germans, and Austrians).

6. Two types Generally, a camp served one of two purposes Concentration
Meant to work people
Extermination
Meant to eliminate large masses of people
By means of an assembly line
Auschwitz
Meant to do both
Therefore, many did not survive in Auschwitz

7. Life Meant to be a “dehumanizing” existence Hierarchical I.D. System
Based on nationality and grounds for incarceration
Higher social status = better job
Lower social status = Manual labor
Level of health played a factor
Kept Germans from having to be too involved
Focus on other tasks

8. Life Taken from homes Several day train trips If inmate
Packed like cattle without food/water
If inmate
Stripped naked and searched
Shaved all body hair
Provided old, torn clothing
Sexual Abuse

9. Works Cited
Poemhunter.com. The Biography of Primo Levi. PoemHunter.com
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Auschwitz. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Washington D.C. May 11, 2012.
Museum of Tolerance Online. Chapter 7: The Camps. The Simon Wiesenthal Center. Los Angeles, California