The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Bellwork List everything you know (or think you know) about World War II or the Holocaust. After 5 minutes, stand and share what you know with your classmates.

Historical Fiction The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a historical fiction novel set in Berlin, Germany and Auschwitz Concentration camp during the Holocaust of World War II. What’s historical? The war, the concentration camp, the Holocaust. What’s fiction? Bruno and his family, Shmuel his friend, the house at the concentration camp.

Background Knowledge Today, as we review some historical facts, keep track of at least 5 facts that you think will help you understand The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. List at least five important facts in your journal.

Primary Sources The images you will see today are called primary sources. They were taken during the World War II and the Holocaust, and they provide a physical record of life there. These come from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website: http://www.ushmm.org

The Rise of the National Socialists In the aftermath of Germany’s loss in World War I, the Nazi Party preached a doctrine of anti-semitism and promised to restore Germany to greatness. Led by Adolf Hitler, the Nazis blamed the loss of World War I and Germany’s economic troubles on Jews, whom they believed were inferior to Aryans (non-Jewish people of Northern European descent – blond haired, blue eyed.) The text reads, “Hitler: Our last hope. Therefore, come to us.”

Nazis take control By 1933, the Nazis had gained enough power and support that they could take control of the German government. On Nov. 9, 1938, German anti-semitism culminated in a series of riots in which 1,000 synagogues were burned and Jewish businesses and homes were destroyed. This was known as Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass.) The Holocaust had begun. The interior of Hechingen synagogue after Kristallnacht.

What is a Holocaust? A holocaust is a mass “ethnic cleansing” (Hitler’s words.) The Nazis attempted to eliminate all Non-Aryans and other groups they considered to be inferior to Aryans (homosexuals, Gypsies, non-Jewish Polish citizens, Russian prisoners of war, and political dissidents.) A railcar used to transport people to the concentration camps is installed at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.

Concentration Camps Jews and other “inferior” people were executed using firing squads, gas chambers, and starvation. Much of this happened at concentration camps like Auschwitz. Nazis placed these people on trains, sent them to camps, and forced them to work, to starve, and to die. The bodies were disposed of using a crematorium or a mass grave.

The Beginning of WWII When the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, World War II began. Germany joined with Italy and Japan to form the Axis Powers. They sought world domination. World War II lasted until 1945, when the Axis Powers were defeated by the Allies (United States, France, Brittain, and Russia, among others.) American and Soviet generals pose on the banks of the Elbe River in Germany. This was the first meeting of Allied soldiers.

Write in Response You will soon see several pictures of the concentration camp at Auschwitz. After looking at these pictures, you will write for 10 minutes. Use this writing to ask important questions, describe what you see, or express how the pictures make you feel.

The Jews’ uniform at Auschwitz The hat was worn by Karel Brumel. The patch was his “registration number.”

The entrance to Auschwitz “Arbeit Macht Frei” means “Work will make you free.”

Awaiting Selection This Jewish man waits for “selection.” The guards at Auschwitz decided who was fit for work and who would immediately be executed.

Children at Auschwitz Children soon became separated from their parents and siblings.

Death March Women and children walk to the gas chambers at Auschwitz.

The Door This is an entrance to one of the gas chambers at Auschwitz.

Evidence Bales of hair shaved from the heads of prisoners at Auschwitz, and a massive pile of hairbrushes taken from the prisoners.

Liberated Prisoners These inmates survived Auschwitz and were rescued by Allied soldiers.

What are you thinking? In your journal, write for 10 minutes about the images that you have seen. What are you thinking, questioning, or feeling? What are your reactions?