“The greatest crime in the history of the world” Why is it so important to remember the Holocaust?

Meanings Holocaust means death Holocaust means death Jews use term Churban Jews use term Churban Anti-Semitism Anti-Semitism Concentration camp Concentration camp Nazis exterminated: 6 million Jews; 100,000s gypsies, trade unionists, ‘deviants’ Nazis exterminated: 6 million Jews; 100,000s gypsies, trade unionists, ‘deviants’ Arriving at Auschwitz Freedom through work

 Your task Watch the clip from ‘The Second World War in Colour’ and think about the following points: Watch the clip from ‘The Second World War in Colour’ and think about the following points: Why was it important for ordinary Germans to visit the camps after the war? Why was it important for ordinary Germans to visit the camps after the war? Why was it difficult to decide who was really responsible for the death of so many people? Why was it difficult to decide who was really responsible for the death of so many people?

Beginnings 1290, all Jews expelled from England 1543, Martin Luther, ‘On the Jews and Their Lies’ 1881, Tsar Alexander II assassinated, riots & burning of synagogues Luther Tsar Alexander II

Nazi anti-Semitism Hitler’s personal hatred Jews Hitler’s personal hatred Jews Treaty of Versailles Treaty of Versailles Fear of communism Fear of communism Click here to find out what Hitler thought about Jewish people

Nazi anti-Semitism 1933, Jews excluded from civil service & education 1935, Nuremberg Laws 1938, Kristallnacht 1940, Warsaw Ghetto 1942, Final Solution A Jewish shopkeeper clears up after the horrors of Kristallnacht

 Your task Read the account of Dora Volkel, a Jewish woman who experienced the horrors of Auschwitz at first hand. Read the account of Dora Volkel, a Jewish woman who experienced the horrors of Auschwitz at first hand. What does the source tell us about the attitudes of the Jewish people in the camp & the Nazi guards? What does the source tell us about the attitudes of the Jewish people in the camp & the Nazi guards? Source

Allied reactions 1942, British & American governments received reports of concentration camps 1942, British & American governments received reports of concentration camps Reports from journalists, e.g. Martin Gilbert Reports from journalists, e.g. Martin Gilbert

Why do you think the Allies did so little to help Jewish people during the War?

German reactions Nazis controlled media Nazis controlled media Public fear of speaking out Public fear of speaking out Disbelief in extermination policy Disbelief in extermination policy Ignorance Ignorance Click here to find out what Albert Speer knew about the death camps

Remembering 1945, Allies liberated camps Germans forced to visit 1948, UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights

What rights do you think the UN included in its Declaration? Click here for some examples

Remembering Museums, e.g. Auschwitz & Dachau Museums, e.g. Auschwitz & Dachau Spiro Institute Spiro Institute Books, Diary of Anne Frank Books, Diary of Anne Frank Films, Schindler’s List Films, Schindler’s List

 Your task Draw a Star of David in your books or on your computer. Around the points write down as many reasons as you can why it is important to remember the Holocaust. Draw a Star of David in your books or on your computer. Around the points write down as many reasons as you can why it is important to remember the Holocaust.  template

 Your task Write a letter to one of the survivors of the Holocaust explaining that you have just studied the Holocaust at school. Include the following: Write a letter to one of the survivors of the Holocaust explaining that you have just studied the Holocaust at school. Include the following: what you know and understand about the Holocaust what you know and understand about the Holocaust how you feel about the Holocaust how you feel about the Holocaust why we should remember the Holocaust why we should remember the Holocaust

Hitler’s views on Jews “The aim of Jews is the complete destruction of the German ‘Reich’ and the spread of revolution.” “The whole of Germany is governed by Jews. The Jew sits in government and swindles and smuggles. Therefore, Germans be united and fight against the Jews, because they will gobble up our last crumbs.”

Albert Speer on the death camps “People have often asked me what I knew about the extermination of the Jews. As armaments minister I really only concerned myself with armaments and was isolated from what else was going on. But that is really only an excuse. I did not know exactly what was going on at the camps, but I have worked it out from the little I did know. I should have done. No apologies are possible.”

Freedom through work

Arriving at Auschwitz

UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 3 Everyone has the right to life, liberty & security of person Article 5 No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment