1. Historical Background on Night Setting: Time (1940s) Place (Sighet, Transylvania and various concentration camps) Place (Sighet, Transylvania and various concentration camps) Rise of Nazism Conditions: Germany before Hitler – Conditions: Germany before Hitler – Poor country, unstable democracy, Jews were scapegoats

2. Historical Background Continued Events: Rise of the Nazi Party German Workers’ Party created German Workers’ Party created Hitler becomes leader Hitler becomes leader German Workers’ Party became the Nazis German Workers’ Party became the Nazis Hitler imprisoned for takeover attempt Hitler imprisoned for takeover attempt In prison, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf In prison, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf

3. Historical Background Continued Hitler gained power quickly Hitler gained power quickly Became dictator around 1930-1933 Became dictator around 1930-1933 *Identify the difference between a dictatorship and democracy

4. Description of Holocaust: Restrictions on Jews Synagogues were closed Synagogues were closed Jews were quarantined in their houses Jews were quarantined in their houses Could not own objects of value Could not own objects of value Must wear yellow Stars of David Must wear yellow Stars of David Could not go to restaurants, could not travel, could not go out Could not go to restaurants, could not travel, could not go out

5. Restrictions on Jews Their citizenship was revoked Their citizenship was revoked Forbidden to marry Aryans Forbidden to marry Aryans Jewish ghettos were located near railways (deportations – concentration camps) Jewish ghettos were located near railways (deportations – concentration camps) Germans boycotted Jewish stores/goods Germans boycotted Jewish stores/goods

6. Weisel’s Purpose for writing Night For 10 years after his liberation, Weisel was silent For 10 years after his liberation, Weisel was silent Wanted to bear witness in order to never forget Wanted to bear witness in order to never forget Wanted people to learn about evil so they could guard against it Wanted people to learn about evil so they could guard against it

7. Definitions Holocaust: Greek root: a whole burnt offering; destruction of 6 million Jews and 5 million non-Jews Holocaust: Greek root: a whole burnt offering; destruction of 6 million Jews and 5 million non-Jews Genocide: “Genos” means race + “cide” means to kill; total annihilation of a race or ethnic group Genocide: “Genos” means race + “cide” means to kill; total annihilation of a race or ethnic group Final Solution: Hitler’s systematic elimination of Jews throughout Europe Final Solution: Hitler’s systematic elimination of Jews throughout Europe

8. What questions do you have about Night? Why didn’t Jews rebel? Why didn’t Jews rebel?