Road to the HolocaustHitler’s Rise to

PowerSteps to the Final

Solution (eliminate all Jews)

Unanswered Questions

Anti-Semitism: prejudice against the Jewish people

Aryan: term used to describe the Nazi’s concept of a superior race

Prejudice: negative preconceived opinion about a group of people

Discrimination: treat unfavorably on the basis of race, color, or sex

Terms to Know

Stereotype: treat or classify according to a mental conception or image

Scapegoat: a person or group of people blamed for the actions of others

Bystander: a person who is present at an event, but does not participate or object to what is happening

Holocaust: total burnt offering

Terms (continued)

Shoah: Jewish term for the HolocaustGenocide: systematic murder of all people

in a targeted groupTotalitarianism: total control of all aspects

of life (people or state) by one person or party

Terms (continued)

High unemploymentHigh povertyPromised: food and jobs

I. World Wide Depression

Had to accept blame for World War IPay large amounts for damages (reparation)Give up coloniesPromised: avenge Germany’s loss and scrap

treaty

II. Bitter over Treaty of Versailles

Anti-SemiticSway public’s opinionPromised: “proper enlightenment” (Aryan

race)

III. Propaganda

German Propaganda

This is an example of German propaganda during World War II. This pictures states that “the Jew is the most poisonous mushroom in existence.” This particular picture was used to teach children anti-Semitic beliefs.

Jews became the “scapegoats” for all Germany’s problems

They were the reason for unemployment, poverty, and loss of national pride

IV. Attitudes

Strong love for the “fatherland”Basis for national superiority: Germans are

superior to all racesHitler used feelings to promote national pride

or racism

V. German Nationalism

Treaty of Versailles reduced Germany’s military power

Promised: ignore the treaty and rebuild the military

VI. Restore Germany

Germany had long history of governments ruled by dictatorial rule (ruling family)

Greatest moments in history occurred under totalitarianism rule

Promised: return to tradition

VII. Political Tradition

Used terror to maintain powerEstablished Storm troopers (SR) and then SS

(elite of German army)Formed secret police called the Gestapo

VIII. Use of Force

Steps to the “FINAL SOLUTION”

Step 1: Random TormentingSigns to stop

Germans from supporting Jewish businesses

Public yelling of insults

Signs to compare Jews to rats

Step 2: Laws PassedDeclared Jews 2nd class

citizensExcluded from the

practice of law, medicine, teaching, and professional jobs

Social contact with Jews illegal

Special I.D. cardsCannot: go to beach,

use public transportation, own a car

Can be: evicted, divorced, shop during certain hours

Step 3: Formation of GhettosHeavily guarded

and isolated (fenced in) areas of cities

Used to contain growing numbers of Jews

Not allowed to leave

Serious lack of food and water

Step 4: Deportation to DeathJewish men, women,

and children 80 – 100 Jews placed

in a cattle carNo food, little water,

one bucket for personal needs, one window

Dead thrown out at “stops”

Upon arrival separated into 2 columns: Live or die

Small children (babies) killed immediately in fire pits- alive

6 Million MURDERED!

Where was the rest of the world?

Why didn’t the Jews resist?

Why didn’t the Germans protest?

Unanswered Questions

“Whoever hates, hates his brother, and whenever one hates his brother, one always hates himself.”

Elie Wiesel – Holocaust Survivior