The Holocaust and the Horrors of WWII in Europe

The Holocaust and the Horrors of WWII in Europe SS 10 Ms. Rebecca

Do Now: • What is racism? Why do you think some groups of people are treated unfairly because of the color of their skin/religion/sex etc?

Today we are going to learn about target #5 • 5. I can explain how nationalism and group identity can lead to racism and discrimination against those that are “outsiders” from the group.

Germany was in bad shape • After World War I and the Great Depression.

Government tried to help with problems after WWI • But didn’t really help

Hitler takes over • People want a leader who will make their lives better

Hitler has: • Racist and nationalist principles. • Germany has the BEST race of people http://www.javno.com/slike/slike_3/r1/g2009/m06/y206236133895921.jpg

Germans are: • DESTINED to expand and rule Europe because they are better than everyone else. Nationalism http://fightforyourrightwear.com/German_Pride_Front.jpg

BUT! • Not ALL Germans are deserving. Only PURE Germans should rule: • Christian • White • Blonde hair • Blue Eyes

Nationalism • Nationalism is good but Hitler loved Germany and hated others that were not “aryan”. He was VERY racist. • So nationalism CAN lead to bad things if it causes people to be racist. Hitler was VERY racist. • So nationalism CAN lead to bad things if it causes people to be racist

Who SHOULDN’T be a part of German greatness? • People who are different: • Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals etc.

A Quote: • “If one imagines….a battlefield covered with thousands of dead (WWI)…….and then our institutions for idiots and their care (mental hospitals)……one is most appalled (shocked) by the sacrifice of the best of humanity……. • Continued on next page

…..“while the best care is lavished (given) on life of negative people (people who don’t deserve it)”. • Karl Binding and Alfred Hoche, Authorization of the the Destruction of Life Unworthy of Life Leipzig, 1920

So what are Germany’s problems? • They lost a war and they aren’t as powerful as they SHOULD be!

Why isn’t Germany as powerful it SHOULD be? • Because “weak” people are dragging them down • Jews, Homosexuals, Gypsies etc

Evidence? • Jews are weaker! Science says so! • Nazi supporters did “experiments” on Jews to prove that they were weak

http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/deadlymedicine/narrative/index.php?content=sciencehttp://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/deadlymedicine/narrative/index.php?content=science

Why would Nazi’s want medical “evidence” to show that Jews weren’t as strong as non-Jews? Illustration from an anti-Semitic children's primer. The sign reads "Jews are not wanted here." Germany, 1936. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005175

Jewish people were treated badly • In 1935, Germany and other counties taken over by the Nazi’s passed laws that took away basic rights of Jews. • They could only be outside certain times of the day • They couldn’t go to public places like libraries, concerts movies etc • They had to wear a star on their shirts to show that they were Jewish……..

Kristallnacht • One night in 1938, Hitler ordered that all Jewish property be destroyed. Jewish stores, businesses, temples, and homes were broken into. Some were burned to the ground. • kristallnacht: night of broken glass. http://xroads.virginia.edu/~1930s2/Time/1938/kristallnacht.jpg

Justification for: • Removing Jews from government jobs, law, and cultural life. • Euthenasia http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/deadlymedicine/narrative/index.php?content=final

Sterilization: what is it? http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/deadlymedicine/narrative/index.php?content=final

So how does the new German government get away with this? • Hitler rules under a police state. No one is ALLOWED to protest. • No freedom of speech • People can’t meet in groups in public • No freedom of press

If anyone is Jewish or against the state: • They get sent to prison camps without a trial. Get them out of the way! • People were afraid. http://www.hermes-press.com/hitler_001.jpg

Do Now • Last time you learned about how Hitler wanted to destroy all Jewish people because they were “bad”. Trying to destroy an entire race of people is called: genocide. Can you think of another example in history where a leader wanted to commit genocide?

Cambodia

Rwanda

Armenia

Do Now: • Hitler had very strong nationalism for Germany. However, he did not believe that all Germans were good. What group did he target as “bad” Germans and why?