1. What was global response to the Holocaust?
Sidney Vaught and Laura Nicklas

2. Retaliation People would boycott German goods
American press printed sources and articles depicting the horrible conditions
In September 1944, the British bombed factories and the railroad lines of Auschwitz
The War Department insisted that photos of the camps while being liberated be withheld form the public

3. Why?
The world was shocked at the photographs released of the horror
People searched for the truth; what would permit this horrible incident to occur without anyone stopping it?
They questioned why nothing was done
Why was there silence?

4. Reactions US citizens created programs helping Jew Refuges
The Central Commission for the Investigation of German Crimes started collecting evidence of what happened
US State Department policies made it very difficult for refugees to obtain entry visas.

5. Joint Distribution Committee
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
Served as the primary vehicle for relief operations
Helped Jews obtain false identity papers and sent food parcels to those still in concentration camps and ghettos
Brought refugees to Israel and established vocational training centers
Gave survivors and opportunity to rebuild their lives

6. What happened to the camps after they were liberated by the Allies?

7. How can we help?
British, Canadian, American, and French troops freed prisoners from the camps
Allied Troops attempted to provide nourishment for the surviving prisoners
Saved as many as they could

8. Liberation
Soviet soldiers were the first to liberate camps on July 23, 1944 in Poland
Germans retreated the camps upon hearing of liberation, and left behind hundreds of sick and dying prisoners
Germans had attempted to get rid of all the evidence; however, dead bodies upon bodies were evident
The British estimated that of the roughly 50,000 inmates still living, 20,000 were seriously or critically ill.

9. The Relief
Winston Churchill ordered for Auschwitz to be burned down; his plea was ignored
Medical relief efforts were done by British doctors; the job tended to be very psychologically deteriorating

10. Where do we go now?
7-9 million displaced persons were scattered around Europe
Major organizations, such as the Red Cross, helped the displaced victims return to the most normal life possible
Many Jews suffered poverty and disease following liberation due to the terrible conditions they had endured for so long

11. How were the Jews transported to camps? What were the conditions?

12. Conditions Water bucket served as a disposal for human waste
Many died due to inhumane conditions before they even reached the camp
Sometimes too dark to even see
Air entered only through the crack of the train walls

13. The Ride Often took days Treated like cattle 70-80 people per car
No information on where they were going or how long their journey would be
Usually no room for everyone to sit
Forced to make room by standing with hands above their heads

14. Life on the Train Width: 7.2 feet Length: 26.8 feet
Extreme temperatures conditions depending on the season
Some people became psychologically insane due to claustrophobia

15. Sources
“American Response to the Holocaust.” History.com. A and E Television Network, LLC Web. 16 May 2013.
“Deportation and Transportation..” Theholocaustexplained.org. London Jewish Cultural Centre Web. 16 May 2013.
“German Railways and the Holocaust.” Ushmm.com. United States Holocaust Museum, Washington DC. 11 May Web. 16 May 2013.
“World response to the Holocaust.” Jewish Virtual Library. The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise Web. 16 May 2013.
“Liberation of the Concentration Camps.” Bbc.co.uk. BBC History. 17 February Web. 17 May 2013.
‘1945: Liberation and Rebuilding.” Holocaustchronicle.org. The Holocaust Chronicle Web. 17 May 2013.