1. Night Elie Weisel

2. Historical Background: Auschwitz Concentration Camp 0 Was originally built by Hitler to house Polish political prisoners or anyone considered a threat to the German occupation of Poland. 0 The Nazi’s wanted to makes Poles a nation of slaves. 0 The camp provided slave labor to nearby factories 0 Lime, water, coal which were main ingredients in rubber and fuel for war effort. 0 Hitler had plans to invade Russia and exterminate large sections of the Soviet population. 0 Within 9 months of invasion 0 3 million Soviet prisoners were taken 0 2 million killed 0 1 million were working at Auschwitz

3. Auschwitz Cont. 0 Hitler blamed Jews for losing WWI. 0 Encouraged Germans to rise up against them by spreading propaganda in the daily news. 0 By the time the Jewish population ended up at Auschwitz the Germans had no qualms about killing them because they believed the Jews had cheated the Germans and there families.

4. Prisoners of Auschwitz 0 They had “standing cells,” where many prisoners were crammed into one cell leaving only enough room to stand. 0 “Starvation cells” where they were locked up until they died of starvation. 0 Prisoners feared if they resisted or attempted to escape their entire family would be tortured or murdered. 0 A few did escape due to the Polish Underground (a large group that resisted these practices). This is how allies learned about Auschwitz and what it was being used for.

5. Liberation 0 Many of the Allies would not step forward to destroy the camps or the railways that led there, claiming plans were needed elsewhere. 0 The Americans did bomb the factories nearby. 0 By the end of WWII, a total of ten million people had been murdered at Auschwitz and the other concentration camps. 0 Six million were Jews.

6. Important People of the Holocaust WS

7. Author Biography: Elie Wiesel WS

8. Discussion Starters 0 1) It is always best to speak the truth, no matter what the consequences may be. 0 2) People tend to reveal their true selves in difficult situations. 0 3) People don’t change. 0 4) Mankind is basically good. 0 5) Our basic human instincts dictate to us that we must protect ourselves first in times of trouble. 0 6) When someone is influenced by others to do something against their natural tendencies, it is really their choice, not peer pressure. 0 7) When faced with something we disagree with, it is almost always best to stay quiet and accept it.

9. Holocaust Identity Day Telling the Jewish story… 0 Grab a persona as you walk in. This is WHO YOU ARE today. Please navigate toward your group number that is located on the top right of your persona. 0 We will be rotating groups every 10 minutes 0 For tomorrow, come in with your experience reflection sheet completed.

10. Auschwitz Virtual Tour 0 Virtual Tour Virtual Tour

11. Why Elie Wiesel wrote Night 0 Words too can become a prison... Words too can become a prison...

12. Elie Wiesel Tour of Auschwitz 0 Interview Interview