The Baltic, Poland, and Occupied U.S.S.R.: Liquidation of Jews and Persecution and Killing of Slavic Peoples
I. Historical Background A. Ethnic Diversity
Residents of Durashna shtetl, 1929
Jewish farm, Poland
Sholem Aleichem’s Tevye stories
B. Shifting Political Control
Europe, 1900
Europe, 1937
C. Ideological Diversity D. Conclusion
II. The War A. Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
Molotov signs the pact. Moscow, August
B. Invasion of Poland 1. German - September 1, Soviet - September 17, 1939
German troops breaking through a barrier at the Polish border
Racial Policy on treating the population of occupied Poland
Memorial Service, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Warsaw, Sept. 17, 2000
Znachki from labor camps
C. Incorporation of Baltic States into the Soviet Union D. German invasion of the Soviet Union - June 1941
III. Reactions to Invasion A. Poles B. Jews C. Baltic States
D. Soviet Union 1. Famine-Terror Terror
Famine victims
Ukrainians welcome German troops, June 1941
Soviet partisans in Minsk prior to execution by the Nazis
Europe, 1942
IV. Impact of Holocaust &War A. Human cost
How Many Jews Were Murdered
B. Social dislocation C. Territorial changes
Europe, 1945
V. Historical Evaluation A. Under Soviet domination B. Who were the victims? 1. Poles or Jews?
Pawiak Prison Museum
Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, Warsaw
Memorial Tablet dedicated to Janusz Korczak
18 Mila Street
Umschlagplatz Wall Monument
The site of the Ghetto
Warsaw Uprising Monument
Symbol of the Home Army
Little Insurgent Monument
Warsaw after the Uprising
2. Jews or “victims of fascism”?
Ravine at Babi Yar, 1944
Execution at Babi Yar
Memorial at Babi Yar to “the victims of fascism”
C. Who were the perpetrators? 1. Nazis or Nazis and Soviets?
Nazi exhumation of Polish dead at Katyn, 1943
Monument, Warsaw
New memorial at Katyn
Khatyn Memorial
Souvenir pin from Khatyn
2. Just Germans or Germans with the assistance of the local population?
Neighbors: The Destruction of the Jewish Community in Jedwabne, Poland by Jan T. Gross
3. Anyone who resisted the Red Army?
VI. Conclusion