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 gained power in Germany after World War I and before World War II. The Holocaust ended in 1945 with the defeat of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II.

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

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

In the video featured in today’s image gallery, Ellen Kerry Davis shared her testimony as a Jewish child who witnessed the changes in Germany after Hitler’s rise to power. She mentioned 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 known as Kristallnacht or the “Night of Broken Glass.” By this time, 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. Living conditions in these ghettos were extremely poor, and people struggled to find basic necessities like food and medicine.

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

The term “Holocaust” originated from Greek words meaning “sacrifice by fire.” By the end of World War II, the Nazis had killed approximately six million Jews, including over one million children. Historians have debated the total number of deaths in the Holocaust, with estimates ranging from around 12 million to 20 million people murdered by the Nazis.

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

Some individuals took a stand against Hitler and the Nazis, risking their own safety, and many of them paid with their lives. Today, people honor the courageous actions of these individuals and commemorate the victims of the Holocaust through allyship.

Since 2005, International Holocaust Remembrance Day has been observed on January 27th. This date marks the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp by the Soviet Armed Forces in 1945. On this day, we remember the Holocaust victims and pay tribute to their memory and legacy.

Have you ever witnessed unfair treatment towards someone? Have you ever seen racism, sexism, or any other form of discrimination? The Holocaust serves as a reminder of the importance of being an upstander rather than a bystander in such situations. Discuss with a trusted adult what actions you can take to protect those facing persecution.

Preserving memories is crucial to the human experience, and the USC Shoah Foundation’s Visual History Archive contains over 55,000 testimonies from survivors and witnesses. These testimonies, in audio and video formats, aim to educate future generations about the Holocaust and other atrocities. The foundation’s IWitness platform features many of these testimonies, gathered through recorded interviews, to share the stories of survivors and witnesses.

Try It Out:

To learn more about the Holocaust, engage in the following activities with a friend or family member:

1. Explore USC Shoah Foundation’s IWitness website, where you can watch and listen to survivors sharing their own stories. After watching a few testimony clips, discuss what you have learned with a companion.

2. If you are near Washington, D.C., plan a family trip to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The museum offers detailed information about the Holocaust. If you cannot visit in person, the museum provides online exhibitions that you can explore from the comfort of your own computer. Choose one or two exhibitions to delve into further with a friend or family member.

3. Are you up for a challenge? Write a brief paper addressing the question: Could the Holocaust happen today? Consider modern society, international relations, and the available communication technology. Support your answer with examples. Share your paper with a friend or family member and discuss their perspective. Can they provide any persuasive points that you may have overlooked?

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, along with millions of other victims, during World War II. It was carried out by Nazi Germany and its collaborators with the aim of exterminating the Jewish population. The Holocaust involved mass shootings, forced labor, and most notably, the use of extermination camps where victims were systematically murdered in gas chambers. It is considered one of the darkest chapters in human history and a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred, prejudice, and discrimination.

2. How did the Holocaust happen?

The Holocaust happened as a result of Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Germany in 1933. Hitler and the Nazi Party implemented a policy of anti-Semitism, targeting Jews as the scapegoats for Germany’s economic and social problems. This policy led to the implementation of discriminatory laws, persecution, and ultimately, the mass extermination of Jews and other targeted groups. The Holocaust was carried out through a combination of propaganda, persecution, and the establishment of concentration and extermination camps.

3. What were the consequences of the Holocaust?

The consequences of the Holocaust were devastating and far-reaching. Six million Jews, including one-third of the world’s Jewish population at the time, were murdered. Millions of other victims, including Romani people, disabled individuals, homosexuals, and political dissidents, were also killed. The Holocaust left deep scars on survivors and their families, as well as on the collective memory of humanity. It led to the establishment of the state of Israel as a safe haven for Jewish people and prompted the international community to prioritize the protection of human rights and the prevention of genocide.

4. Why is it important to remember the Holocaust?

Remembering the Holocaust is crucial for several reasons. It serves as a stark reminder of the horrific consequences of hatred, prejudice, and discrimination. By remembering the Holocaust, we honor the memory of the victims and ensure that their stories are not forgotten. It also provides an opportunity for reflection and education, promoting tolerance, empathy, and the understanding of different cultures and religions. Remembering the Holocaust helps us to prevent similar atrocities from happening again and reinforces the importance of upholding human rights and dignity for all.