World War II: The Holocaust
Who? Jews Roma (Gypsies) Mentally/physically disabled Slavic peoples (Poles, Russians, and others) Communists Jehovah’s Witnesses Homosexuals 6 million Jews (2/3 of Europe’s Jewish population) and 5 million others were killed
What? Genocide deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group Hitler called it the “Final Solution” – mass execution of Jews
When? Persecution started when Hitler and the Nazis came to power First camp (Dachau) was established in 1933 Ended with the end of World War II in 1945
Where?
Why? Anti-Semitism – Jews were blamed for Germany’s problems Feelings of racial superiority – “inferior” people needed to be eliminated Even though others had some idea of what was going on, it was not their to priority to help