History of the Holocaust History of the Holocaust

Why take this course?

Course Overview

Why take this course?

Course Overview

History of the Holocaust at SWHistory of the Holocaust at SW

It is the first year this course will be taught at Lincoln Southwest High School

The Social Studies Department will offer this course 3 times throughout the 2009-2010 school year

Mrs. Kelley and Mrs. Watson will teach the course this year

It is the first year this course will be taught at Lincoln Southwest High School

The Social Studies Department will offer this course 3 times throughout the 2009-2010 school year

Mrs. Kelley and Mrs. Watson will teach the course this year

10 reasons to take this course10 reasons to take this course

1. Teaching of Tolerance 2. Understanding the organized attempt

throughout history to eliminate various ethnic groups

3. Identify and analyze applicable theories of human nature and behavior

4. Understanding where genocide originates from 5. Understanding the role of personal

responsibility in regards to fighting racism and hatred

1. Teaching of Tolerance 2. Understanding the organized attempt

throughout history to eliminate various ethnic groups

3. Identify and analyze applicable theories of human nature and behavior

4. Understanding where genocide originates from 5. Understanding the role of personal

responsibility in regards to fighting racism and hatred

10 reasons to take this course10 reasons to take this course

6. Examine the entire history of humanity through the Jewish Holocaust

7. Understanding that the Holocaust was preventable

8. Explore dangers of remaining silent 9. Examine how governments can implement

destructive policies 10. Gain insight on the historical, social, religious,

political, and economic factors that resulted in the Holocaust

6. Examine the entire history of humanity through the Jewish Holocaust

7. Understanding that the Holocaust was preventable

8. Explore dangers of remaining silent 9. Examine how governments can implement

destructive policies 10. Gain insight on the historical, social, religious,

political, and economic factors that resulted in the Holocaust

Definitions…Definitions…

As a group, discuss and define the terms on the separate sheet of paper.

After all groups are finished, we will discuss your definitions of the terms.

As a group, discuss and define the terms on the separate sheet of paper.

After all groups are finished, we will discuss your definitions of the terms.

Key DefinitionsKey Definitions

Discrimination Action based on prejudice or biased beliefs that results in unfair

treatment of individuals or groups Prejudice

An opinion or attitude about a group or its individual members. Usually a negative attitude

Racism A set of beliefs based on perceived “racial” superiority and

inferiority A system of domination that is played out in everyday interactions

Stereotyping/Generalizations A simplistic and exaggerated belief, often negative, about

individual characteristics generalized to all people within that group

Discrimination Action based on prejudice or biased beliefs that results in unfair

treatment of individuals or groups Prejudice

An opinion or attitude about a group or its individual members. Usually a negative attitude

Racism A set of beliefs based on perceived “racial” superiority and

inferiority A system of domination that is played out in everyday interactions

Stereotyping/Generalizations A simplistic and exaggerated belief, often negative, about

individual characteristics generalized to all people within that group

Civil Rights vs. Human RightsCivil Rights vs. Human Rights

Civil Rights The rights belonging to an individual by virtue of

citizenship Human Rights

Basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and

rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

-United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Civil Rights The rights belonging to an individual by virtue of

citizenship Human Rights

Basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and

rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

-United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Defining the HOLOCAUSTDefining the HOLOCAUST

Holocaust The state-sponsored, systematic persecution and

annihilation of European Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945.

Jews were the primary victims Also targeted: Gypsies, the handicapped, the Poles,

homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war, and political dissidents

Holocaust The state-sponsored, systematic persecution and

annihilation of European Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945.

Jews were the primary victims Also targeted: Gypsies, the handicapped, the Poles,

homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war, and political dissidents

What is Genocide?What is Genocide?

The deliberate and systematic destruction of a religious, racial, national, or cultural group.

The deliberate and systematic destruction of a religious, racial, national, or cultural group.

What is anti-Semitism?What is anti-Semitism?

Prejudice or discrimination, often violent, directed at Jews Dislike, fear, and persecution of Jews “The longest hatred”

Prejudice or discrimination, often violent, directed at Jews Dislike, fear, and persecution of Jews “The longest hatred”

History of Anti-SemitismHistory of Anti-Semitism Anti-Semitism dates back to Roman times Most Christians believed that the Jews were

responsible for crucifying Jesus Christ Jesus executed by the Roman Government because he

was seen a a political threat to their rule As Christianity spread throughout Europe, laws

were passed to “protect” the “faithful” from Jewish “contamination” Jews became part of a minority religion Jews do not share the Christian belief that Jesus is the Son

of God Christian Crusades attacked Jewish communities to

convert Jews to Christianity

Anti-Semitism dates back to Roman times Most Christians believed that the Jews were

responsible for crucifying Jesus Christ Jesus executed by the Roman Government because he

was seen a a political threat to their rule As Christianity spread throughout Europe, laws

were passed to “protect” the “faithful” from Jewish “contamination” Jews became part of a minority religion Jews do not share the Christian belief that Jesus is the Son

of God Christian Crusades attacked Jewish communities to

convert Jews to Christianity

History of Anti-Semitism History of Anti-Semitism

The Catholic Church did not allow Christians to be moneylenders Jews had few other ways of earning a living Many became bankers

Stereotyping of Jews as money-hungry exploiters

Throughout history, many religious leaders tried to convert Jews with little success

Throughout history, Jews have been driven from their homelands…many settled in Poland and the Soviet Union

The Catholic Church did not allow Christians to be moneylenders Jews had few other ways of earning a living Many became bankers

Stereotyping of Jews as money-hungry exploiters

Throughout history, many religious leaders tried to convert Jews with little success

Throughout history, Jews have been driven from their homelands…many settled in Poland and the Soviet Union

History of Anti-SemitismHistory of Anti-Semitism

1933: Hitler blamed the Jews for Germany’s economic, political, social, and ethical problems

1935: Defined Jews by race: “non-Aryans”

1933: Hitler blamed the Jews for Germany’s economic, political, social, and ethical problems

1935: Defined Jews by race: “non-Aryans”

What is an Aryan?What is an Aryan?

The Nazis applied the term to people of Northern European racial background. Used to preserve the purity of European

blood The “Master Race” Blond hair, blue eyes, pale skin

Seen a true beauty

The Nazis applied the term to people of Northern European racial background. Used to preserve the purity of European

blood The “Master Race” Blond hair, blue eyes, pale skin

Seen a true beauty

Basic Overview of the Jewish Holocaust Basic Overview of the Jewish Holocaust

When Adolf Hitler became Germany’s leader in 1933, he made anti-Semitism the official policy of the nation (until 1945).

No other persecution of Jews equals the extent and brutality of the Holocaust

When Adolf Hitler became Germany’s leader in 1933, he made anti-Semitism the official policy of the nation (until 1945).

No other persecution of Jews equals the extent and brutality of the Holocaust

Where did the Holocaust take place?Where did the Holocaust take place?

European JewsEuropean Jews

Jews have lived in Europe for more than 2000 years

In 1933, the total Jewish population of Europe was: 9.5 million 60% of the world’s Jewish population (15.3

million) 5 1/2 million lived in Poland and the Soviet

Union

Jews have lived in Europe for more than 2000 years

In 1933, the total Jewish population of Europe was: 9.5 million 60% of the world’s Jewish population (15.3

million) 5 1/2 million lived in Poland and the Soviet

Union

European Jewish PopulationEuropean Jewish Population

European Jewish Population Post-WWII

European Jewish Population Post-WWII

In 1950… The Jewish population in Europe was 3.5 million Most Jews (51%) lived in North and South America Only 1/3 of the world’s Jewish population lived in

Europe Jewish population in Poland was reduced to 45,000 All European countries saw a decline in their Jewish

population due to the Holocaust and to postwar emigration from Europe

2/3 European Jews had been killed

In 1950… The Jewish population in Europe was 3.5 million Most Jews (51%) lived in North and South America Only 1/3 of the world’s Jewish population lived in

Europe Jewish population in Poland was reduced to 45,000 All European countries saw a decline in their Jewish

population due to the Holocaust and to postwar emigration from Europe

2/3 European Jews had been killed

Aftermath of the Holocaust Aftermath of the Holocaust

6 million European Jews murdered 5 million others murdered 7-9 million displaced as refugees

6 million European Jews murdered 5 million others murdered 7-9 million displaced as refugees

This class will…This class will…

In this class, we will fill in all the blanks from post-WWI Europe to post-WWII Europe

We will discuss the course of the war and how the “Final Solution” resulted in the murder of more than 11 million people

We will discuss current events to examine what changes (if any) have been made since the Jewish Holocaust

In this class, we will fill in all the blanks from post-WWI Europe to post-WWII Europe

We will discuss the course of the war and how the “Final Solution” resulted in the murder of more than 11 million people

We will discuss current events to examine what changes (if any) have been made since the Jewish Holocaust

Homework assignmentHomework assignment

Find a current event that is an example of one of the terms we discussed today

Summarize the article and answer the following question: How does this article relate to one of the terms

we discussed today? How have these terms evolved over time?

In relation to the Holocaust and in 2009?

Find a current event that is an example of one of the terms we discussed today

Summarize the article and answer the following question: How does this article relate to one of the terms

we discussed today? How have these terms evolved over time?

In relation to the Holocaust and in 2009?

SourcesSources

United State Holocaust Memorial Museum website: www.ushmm.org

Jewish Virtual Library website: www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org

Simon Wiesenthal Center website: www.motlc.wiesenthal.com

Teaching Tolerance website: www.tolerance.org

United State Holocaust Memorial Museum website: www.ushmm.org

Jewish Virtual Library website: www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org

Simon Wiesenthal Center website: www.motlc.wiesenthal.com

Teaching Tolerance website: www.tolerance.org