What Was the Holocaust?

The Holocaust was a tragic and horrific event that occurred in human history. It started in January 1933, when the Nazi party won the election in the Weimar Republic (Germany between World War I and World War II). It came to an end in 1945 with the defeat of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II.

The Nazis believed in the racial superiority of true, pure Germans over those they considered to have “impure blood.” Under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, Nazi Germany began to discriminate against and oppress those who were different or deemed inferior, such as Jews, Communists, LGBTQ+ individuals, Roma and Sinti, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and non-white people. Hitler blamed Jews and Communists for Germany’s loss in World War I, and in his book “Mein Kampf,” he promised to eliminate all Jews from Germany once he came to power.

Although Hitler had the support of millions of Germans, many did not believe that he would carry out his plans. However, as soon as he became Chancellor of Germany in January 1933, he began taking steps towards his goal. New laws were enacted to strip Jews of their rights.

In the video featured in today’s image gallery, you heard the testimony of Ellen Kerry Davis, a Jewish child who witnessed the changes in Germany after Hitler’s rise to power. She shared that even long-time family friends were afraid to be seen speaking to Jews in public. Unfortunately, Jewish families and children across Europe had similar experiences.

As time went on, the persecution of Jews by the Nazis continued. On November 9-10, 1938, many Jewish businesses, synagogues, and homes were vandalized or set on fire. This event is now known as Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass.” By this point, Nazi Germany had annexed Austria and parts of Czechoslovakia.

During World War II, Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe and parts of North Africa faced persecution. They were forced to live in cramped ghettos surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards, where living conditions were extremely poor. The people in these ghettos struggled to obtain basic necessities like food and medicine.

From the ghettos, Jews were transported to concentration camps where they were subjected to forced labor. Many died from diseases and starvation in these camps, while others were simply killed because they were Jewish. The Nazis carried out mass shootings and used poison gas to murder Jewish people as part of Hitler’s “Final Solution,” and then they burned the bodies.

The term “Holocaust” originates from the Greek words that mean “sacrifice by fire.” By the end of World War II, it is estimated that the Nazis had killed approximately six million Jews, including over one million children. Historians have debated the total death toll of the Holocaust, with some suggesting around 12 million victims and others proposing a number closer to 20 million.

It is crucial to remember that the actions of Hitler and the Nazi party did not occur in isolation. The crimes they committed were only possible due to widespread antisemitism in Europe and much of the world, including the United States. Governments, police forces, and citizens outside of Germany also contributed to the violence and many profited from the Holocaust by seizing the belongings and valuables left behind by the victims.

Nevertheless, there were individuals who opposed Hitler and the Nazis, risking their own safety. Many of these courageous people lost their lives. Today, their bravery is honored and the victims of the Holocaust are remembered through allyship.

Since 2005, International Holocaust Remembrance Day has been observed on January 27. On this day in 1945, the Soviet Armed Forces liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp. It serves as a day to commemorate the Holocaust victims and pay tribute to their memory and legacy.

Have you ever witnessed someone being treated unfairly? Have you ever experienced racism, sexism, or any other form of discrimination? The Holocaust serves as a reminder of the importance of being an upstander, not a bystander, in such situations. Discuss with a trusted adult what actions you can take to protect individuals facing persecution.

Preserving memories is a crucial aspect of the human experience. USC Shoah Foundation’s Visual History Archive contains over 55,000 testimonies from survivors and witnesses, utilizing audio and video to educate future generations about the Holocaust and other atrocities. This supports the Institute’s mission to foster empathy, understanding, and respect through testimony, ensuring that the next generation comprehends the significance of learning from the Holocaust and working towards a better world. Many of these testimonies can be found on the IWitness platform, which features recorded interviews that share the stories of survivors and witnesses.

Give It a Try

Deepen your knowledge of the Holocaust by engaging in the following activities with a friend or family member:

• One of the most valuable resources for learning about the Holocaust is the testimony of survivors. USC Shoah Foundation’s IWitness website allows you to watch and listen to survivors sharing their own stories. After watching a few clips of testimony, discuss what you have learned with a friend or family member.
• If you are near Washington, D.C., plan a family trip to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The museum provides a detailed exploration of the Holocaust. If you cannot travel to Washington, D.C., don’t worry! The museum offers Online Exhibitions that you can explore from the comfort of your own computer. Browse the online exhibitions and choose one or two to delve into further with a friend or family member.
• Feeling up for a challenge? Write a brief paper addressing the following question: Could the Holocaust happen today? Considering your knowledge of modern society, international relations, and available communication technology, do you think something like the Holocaust could occur today? Explain your reasoning with examples. Share your paper with a friend or family member. Do they agree with you? Can they provide additional persuasive points that you may have overlooked?

Wonder Sources

• https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/introduction-to-the-holocaust (accessed 12 Jan. 2022)
• https://guides.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/c.php?g=288386&p=1922582 (accessed 12 Jan. 2022)
• https://www.britannica.com/event/Holocaust (accessed 12 Jan. 2022)
• https://www.ushmm.org/collections/bibliography/blacks (accessed 12 Jan. 2022)
• www.learnersdictionary.com (accessed 12 Jan. 2022)

FAQ

1. What was the Holocaust?

The Holocaust was the systematic genocide of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime during World War II. It was a state-sponsored persecution and murder of Jews, as well as other minority groups, such as Romani people, Poles, disabled individuals, and political dissidents.

2. When did the Holocaust take place?

The Holocaust took place from 1941 to 1945, during World War II. However, the persecution of Jews and other targeted groups began as early as 1933 when Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power in Germany. The atrocities committed during the Holocaust continued until the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

3. How did the Holocaust affect the Jewish population?

The Holocaust had a devastating impact on the Jewish population. Approximately six million Jews, including one-third of the world’s Jewish population at the time, were systematically killed in Nazi concentration camps, extermination camps, and through mass shootings. Jewish communities were destroyed, families were torn apart, and survivors faced immense trauma and loss.

4. What were the main methods used during the Holocaust?

The main methods used during the Holocaust included mass shootings, gas chambers, and forced labor camps. Jews and other targeted groups were rounded up, transported to concentration camps, and subjected to inhumane conditions, starvation, torture, and medical experiments. The Nazis implemented a bureaucratic system to efficiently carry out their genocidal plans.

5. Why did the Holocaust happen?

The Holocaust happened due to a combination of factors, including the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, anti-Semitic beliefs and propaganda, economic hardships, and a climate of fear and prejudice. The Nazis used Jews as scapegoats for Germany’s problems and sought to create a racially pure society based on their warped ideology. The Holocaust serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of hatred and intolerance.

6. How is the Holocaust remembered today?

The Holocaust is remembered through memorials, museums, educational programs, and annual remembrance days such as Holocaust Memorial Day. Survivors’ testimonies and historical documents play a crucial role in preserving the memory of the Holocaust. The international community is committed to ensuring that the atrocities of the Holocaust are never forgotten and to promoting tolerance, understanding, and the prevention of genocide.