Chapter 24 Section 2 The United States in World War II Riddlebarger The Holocaust Chapter 24 Section 2 The United States in World War II Riddlebarger

First they came for the communists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me. Martin Niemöller, German pastor who turned when Hitler wanted state before religion.

Introduction Allies discovered concentration camps when they went into Germany (1945) Allies were shocked by what they saw despite word leaking out since 1941-42 Concentration camps take the lives of about 6 million Jews and about 5 million Slavs, Gypsies, Communists & others.

Concentration Camp Locations

Origins of the Holocaust Anti-Semitism Feature of Christianity Jews dispersed from Palestine in 70 A.D. and settle in various areas of Europe. Did not tend to assimilate to societies they lived in Holding on to their religion & culture made them be seen as outsiders. While some societies wanted to assimilate them, many in Germany wanted to force them out.

Origins continued Nazism (2 strands) Nationalism/racism- Jews not considered true Germans; Did not adhere to German culture World Jewish Conspiracy- belief that a small group of wealthy people behind scenes controlling everything, denying Germany proper place in world, costing Germany in WWI Hitler is seen as the only one to stand up to them.

Differing views on origins of Holocaust “Intentionalists” Feel Hitler harbored the intention of killing Jews from the beginning One justification is Hitler’s hatred of Jews & control over Germany. “Functionalists” Find no convincing evidence that Hitler had a master plan for killing Jews. Believe a chain of events orchestrated by German government led to Holocaust.

Implementation: 4 stages Preliminary-(1933-40) discrimination laws against Jews & acts of violence; Jews dispossessed of homes & placed in Ghettos. Nuremberg Laws- strip Jews of citizenship & many rights. Kristallnacht- anti-Jewish riots break out; businesses & temples destroyed; 100 die

DER EWIGE JUDE The Wandering Jew Nazis use propaganda films to spread anti-Semitic message 

Jewish Ghettos Ghettos were communities where Jews were confined often by walls or fences Food was scarce & disease common You were shot for trying to escape.

Holocaust Stage 2 Transitional-(1941-42) Liquidation of Jews (& Communists) in Soviet Union. Construction of concentration camps in Eastern Europe.

Holocaust Main Phase 3. (1942-44) Systematic elimination of Jewish Ghettos & transport of Jews to camps. Either work them to death or systematically murder those incapable of slave labor. The Final Solution

Crematorium

Holocaust Final Phase Nazi military attempts to conceal evidence People still die of hunger, overwork and limited executions.

The Final Solution From the 1st days of WW2, instances of Nazi mass-killings of Jews & other civilians occurred. Genocide: killing of an entire people Concentration camps established to make killing more efficient Gas chambers used Some subjected to cruel medical experiments. About 6 million Jews killed; about 5 million others (POW’s, disabled, Gypsies)

American Response American immigration rules limited the number who could move here to escape Concern over increased number of workers Ignorance over reality of situation U.S. focus is more on military victory 1944: FDR establishes War Refugee Board which will help save 200,000.

Liberation 1944: Soviet advances lead them to discover some of death camps in Poland. Early 1945, they reach Auschwitz U.S. & British forces start coming upon them in early 1945.

Nuremberg Trials Following World War II, many Nazis faced trial for their roles in the Holocaust (genocidal campaign against Jews in World War II) 22 Nazis tried for war crimes; 12 sentenced to die. After Nuremberg others will be hunted down & tried in different courts.

Where did the greatest losses of life take place during the Holocaust?

In Aushwitz, a warehouse of clothes belonging to murdered women.

U.S. liberation of Buchenwald