A Brief History ofA Brief History ofThe HolocaustThe Holocaust

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The Holocaust The Holocaust   

During World War II, Nazi Germany and its collaborators During World War II, Nazi Germany and its collaborators murdered approximately six million Jews. The Holocaust is the murdered approximately six million Jews. The Holocaust is the name used to refer to this systematic, bureaucratic, and state-name used to refer to this systematic, bureaucratic, and state-sponsored campaign of persecution and murder. Beginning sponsored campaign of persecution and murder. Beginning with racially discriminatory laws in Germany, the Nazi with racially discriminatory laws in Germany, the Nazi campaign expanded to the mass murder of all European Jews campaign expanded to the mass murder of all European Jews

During the era of the Holocaust, the Nazis also targeted During the era of the Holocaust, the Nazis also targeted other groups because of their perceived "racial inferiority": other groups because of their perceived "racial inferiority": Roma (Gypsies), people with disabilities, Catholics, and some Roma (Gypsies), people with disabilities, Catholics, and some of the Slavic peoples (Poles, Russians, and others). Other of the Slavic peoples (Poles, Russians, and others). Other groups were persecuted on political and behavioral grounds, groups were persecuted on political and behavioral grounds, among them Communists, Socialists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and among them Communists, Socialists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and homosexuals.  homosexuals.    "Holocaust" is a word of Greek origin meaning "sacrifice by   "Holocaust" is a word of Greek origin meaning "sacrifice by fire." The Nazis came to power in Germany in January 1933. fire." The Nazis came to power in Germany in January 1933. The Nazis frequently used euphemistic language to disguise The Nazis frequently used euphemistic language to disguise the true nature of their crimes. According to this vocabulary, the true nature of their crimes. According to this vocabulary, Germans were considered "racially superior" and the Jews, and Germans were considered "racially superior" and the Jews, and others deemed "inferior," were "life unworthy of life."others deemed "inferior," were "life unworthy of life."

  

Nazi Rule Nazi Rule Adolf Hitler was appointed Adolf Hitler was appointed

chancellor of Germany on chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933, bringing January 30, 1933, bringing an end to German an end to German democracy. Guided by racist democracy. Guided by racist and authoritarian ideas, the and authoritarian ideas, the Nazis abolished basic Nazis abolished basic freedoms and sought to freedoms and sought to create a "Volk" community. create a "Volk" community. In theory, a "Volk" In theory, a "Volk" community united all social community united all social classes and regions of classes and regions of Germany behind Hitler. In Germany behind Hitler. In reality, the Third Reich reality, the Third Reich quickly became a police quickly became a police state, where individuals state, where individuals were subject to arbitrary were subject to arbitrary arrest and imprisonment arrest and imprisonment

Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi party

Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler

In the first months of his chancellorship, Hitler In the first months of his chancellorship, Hitler began a concerted policy of "synchronization," began a concerted policy of "synchronization," forcing organizations, political parties, and state forcing organizations, political parties, and state governments into line with Nazi goals and placing governments into line with Nazi goals and placing them under Nazi leadership. Culture, the economy, them under Nazi leadership. Culture, the economy, education, and law came under greater Nazi education, and law came under greater Nazi control. Trade unions were abolished and workers, control. Trade unions were abolished and workers, employees, and employers were forced into Nazi employees, and employers were forced into Nazi organizations. By mid-July 1933, the Nazi party was organizations. By mid-July 1933, the Nazi party was the only political party permitted in Germany. The the only political party permitted in Germany. The Reichstag (German parliament) became a rubber Reichstag (German parliament) became a rubber stamp for Hitler's dictatorship. The Fuehrer's will stamp for Hitler's dictatorship. The Fuehrer's will became the foundation for government policy . became the foundation for government policy . Thus, Hitler created a dictatorship within Germany.Thus, Hitler created a dictatorship within Germany.

Nazi Racism Nazi Racism For years before Adolf Hitler became chancellor of For years before Adolf Hitler became chancellor of

Germany, he was obsessed with ideas about race. In his speeches Germany, he was obsessed with ideas about race. In his speeches and writings, Hitler spread his beliefs in racial "purity" and in the and writings, Hitler spread his beliefs in racial "purity" and in the superiority of the "Germanic race" -- what he called an “Aryan" superiority of the "Germanic race" -- what he called an “Aryan" master race." He pronounced that his race must remain pure in master race." He pronounced that his race must remain pure in order to one day take over the world. For Hitler, the ideal "Aryan" order to one day take over the world. For Hitler, the ideal "Aryan" was blond, blue-eyed, and tall. was blond, blue-eyed, and tall. When Hitler and the Nazis came to When Hitler and the Nazis came to power, these beliefs became the government ideology and were power, these beliefs became the government ideology and were spread in publicly displayed posters, on the radio, in movies, in spread in publicly displayed posters, on the radio, in movies, in classrooms, and in newspapers. The Nazis began to put their classrooms, and in newspapers. The Nazis began to put their ideology into practice with the support of German scientists who ideology into practice with the support of German scientists who believed that the human race could be improved by limiting the believed that the human race could be improved by limiting the reproduction of people considered "inferior." Beginning in 1933, reproduction of people considered "inferior." Beginning in 1933, German physicians were allowed to perform forced sterilizations, German physicians were allowed to perform forced sterilizations, operations making it impossible for the victims to have children. operations making it impossible for the victims to have children. Among the targets of this public program were Roma (Gypsies), an Among the targets of this public program were Roma (Gypsies), an ethnic minority numbering about 30,000 in Germany, and ethnic minority numbering about 30,000 in Germany, and handicapped individuals, including the mentally ill and people born handicapped individuals, including the mentally ill and people born deaf and blind. Also victimized were about 500 African-German deaf and blind. Also victimized were about 500 African-German children, the offspring of German mothers and African colonial children, the offspring of German mothers and African colonial soldiers in the Allied armies that occupied the German Rhineland soldiers in the Allied armies that occupied the German Rhineland region after World War I.region after World War I.

Racism continuedRacism continued

Hitler and other Nazi leaders viewed Hitler and other Nazi leaders viewed the Jews not as a religious group, but as a the Jews not as a religious group, but as a poisonous "race," which "lived off" the poisonous "race," which "lived off" the other races and weakened them. After other races and weakened them. After Hitler took power, Nazi teachers in school Hitler took power, Nazi teachers in school classrooms began to apply the "principles" classrooms began to apply the "principles" of racial science. of racial science. They measured skull They measured skull size and nose length, and recorded the size and nose length, and recorded the color of their pupils' hair and eyes to color of their pupils' hair and eyes to determine whether students belonged to determine whether students belonged to the true "Aryan race." Jewish and Romani the true "Aryan race." Jewish and Romani (Gypsy) students were often humiliated in (Gypsy) students were often humiliated in the process.the process.

The Nazi Terror BeginsThe Nazi Terror Begins

After Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany After Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany in January 1933, he moved quickly to turn in January 1933, he moved quickly to turn Germany into a one-party dictatorship and to Germany into a one-party dictatorship and to organize the police power necessary to enforce organize the police power necessary to enforce Nazi policies. He persuaded his Cabinet to Nazi policies. He persuaded his Cabinet to declare a state of emergency and end declare a state of emergency and end individual freedoms, including freedom of individual freedoms, including freedom of press, speech, and assembly. Individuals lost press, speech, and assembly. Individuals lost the right to privacy, which meant that officials the right to privacy, which meant that officials could read people's mail, listen in on telephone could read people's mail, listen in on telephone conversations, and search private homes conversations, and search private homes without a warrant. without a warrant.

Nazi PropagandaNazi Propaganda

Once they succeeded in ending democracy Once they succeeded in ending democracy and turning Germany into a one-party and turning Germany into a one-party dictatorship, the Nazis orchestrated a massive dictatorship, the Nazis orchestrated a massive propaganda campaign to win the loyalty and propaganda campaign to win the loyalty and cooperation of Germans. The Nazi Propaganda cooperation of Germans. The Nazi Propaganda Ministry, directed by Dr. Joseph Goebbels, took Ministry, directed by Dr. Joseph Goebbels, took control of all forms of communication in control of all forms of communication in Germany: newspapers, magazines, books, Germany: newspapers, magazines, books, public meetings, and rallies, art, music, movies, public meetings, and rallies, art, music, movies, and radio. Viewpoints in any way threatening to and radio. Viewpoints in any way threatening to Nazi beliefs or to the regime were censored or Nazi beliefs or to the regime were censored or eliminated from all media. eliminated from all media.

Images of Anti-Semitic Images of Anti-Semitic PropagandaPropaganda

Anti-Semitic Anti-Semitic posters, handbills, posters, handbills, and stickers and stickers (including an (including an election leaflet.)election leaflet.) United States United States Holocaust Memorial Holocaust Memorial Museum Museum #10641/Institute of #10641/Institute of Contemporary History Contemporary History and Wiener Library and Wiener Library LimitedLimited

The terror of HitlerThe terror of Hitler Hitler also relied on terror to achieve his Hitler also relied on terror to achieve his

goals. Lured by the wages, a feeling of goals. Lured by the wages, a feeling of brotherhood, and the striking uniforms, brotherhood, and the striking uniforms, tens of thousands of young jobless men put tens of thousands of young jobless men put on the brown shirts and high leather boots on the brown shirts and high leather boots of the Nazi Storm Troopers of the Nazi Storm Troopers ((SturmabteilungenSturmabteilungen). Called the SA, these ). Called the SA, these auxiliary policemen took to the streets to auxiliary policemen took to the streets to beat up and kill some opponents of the Nazi beat up and kill some opponents of the Nazi regime. Mere fear of the SA pressured into regime. Mere fear of the SA pressured into silence other Germans who did not support silence other Germans who did not support the Nazis. the Nazis.

Jews in Germany Pre-WarJews in Germany Pre-War When the Nazis came to power, the lives of German Jews When the Nazis came to power, the lives of German Jews

changed drastically. On April 1, 1933, the Nazis carried out changed drastically. On April 1, 1933, the Nazis carried out the first nationwide, planned action against them: a boycott the first nationwide, planned action against them: a boycott of Jewish businesses. Nazi spokesmen claimed the boycott of Jewish businesses. Nazi spokesmen claimed the boycott was an act of revenge against both German Jews and was an act of revenge against both German Jews and foreigners, including U.S. and English journalists, who had foreigners, including U.S. and English journalists, who had criticized the Nazi regime. On the day of the boycott, Storm criticized the Nazi regime. On the day of the boycott, Storm Troopers stood menacingly in front of Jewish-owned shops. Troopers stood menacingly in front of Jewish-owned shops. The six-pointed “Star of David" was painted in yellow and The six-pointed “Star of David" was painted in yellow and black across thousands of doors and windows. Signs were black across thousands of doors and windows. Signs were posted saying "Don't Buy from Jews" and "The Jews Are Our posted saying "Don't Buy from Jews" and "The Jews Are Our Misfortune."Misfortune."

The nationwide boycott was not very successful and lasted The nationwide boycott was not very successful and lasted just a day, just a day, but it marked the beginning of a nationwide but it marked the beginning of a nationwide campaign by the Nazi party against the entire German campaign by the Nazi party against the entire German Jewish population. A week later, the government passed a Jewish population. A week later, the government passed a law restricting employment in the civil service to “Aryans." law restricting employment in the civil service to “Aryans." Jewish government workers, including teachers in public Jewish government workers, including teachers in public schools and universities were fired.schools and universities were fired.

SIGN EXCLUDES JEWS FROM PUBLIC PLACES SIGN EXCLUDES JEWS FROM PUBLIC PLACES

Signs excluding Jews, such as the sign shown here, Signs excluding Jews, such as the sign shown here, were posted in public places (including parks, theaters, were posted in public places (including parks, theaters, movie houses, and restaurants) throughout Nazi Germany. movie houses, and restaurants) throughout Nazi Germany. This sign states in German: "Jews are not wanted here."This sign states in German: "Jews are not wanted here."

The Final SolutionThe Final Solution The Nazis frequently used euphemistic language to The Nazis frequently used euphemistic language to

disguise the true nature of their crimes. They used disguise the true nature of their crimes. They used the term “Final Solution” to refer to their plan to the term “Final Solution” to refer to their plan to annihilate the Jewish people. It is not known when the annihilate the Jewish people. It is not known when the leaders of Nazi Germany definitively decided to leaders of Nazi Germany definitively decided to implement the "Final Solution." The genocide or mass implement the "Final Solution." The genocide or mass destruction of the Jews was the culmination of a destruction of the Jews was the culmination of a decade of increasingly severe discriminatory decade of increasingly severe discriminatory measures. .measures. .

In its entirety, the "Final Solution" called for the In its entirety, the "Final Solution" called for the murder of all European Jews by gassing, shooting, murder of all European Jews by gassing, shooting, and other means. Approximately six million Jewish and other means. Approximately six million Jewish men, women, and children were killed during the men, women, and children were killed during the Holocaust -- two-thirds of the Jews living in Europe Holocaust -- two-thirds of the Jews living in Europe before World War II. before World War II.

AuschwitzAuschwitz

Auschwitz was the largest camp established by the Germans. Auschwitz was the largest camp established by the Germans. It was a complex of camps, including a concentration, It was a complex of camps, including a concentration, extermination, and forced-labor camp. It was located near extermination, and forced-labor camp. It was located near Cracow (Krakow), Poland. Three large camps constituted the Cracow (Krakow), Poland. Three large camps constituted the Auschwitz camp complex: Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II (Birkenau), Auschwitz camp complex: Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II (Birkenau), and Auschwitz III (Monowitz). More than one million people and Auschwitz III (Monowitz). More than one million people lost their lives at Auschwitz, nine out of ten of them Jewish. The lost their lives at Auschwitz, nine out of ten of them Jewish. The four largest gas chambers could each hold 2,000 people at one four largest gas chambers could each hold 2,000 people at one time.time.

A sign over the entrance to the camp read ARBEIT MACHT A sign over the entrance to the camp read ARBEIT MACHT FREI, which means "work makes one free." In actuality, the FREI, which means "work makes one free." In actuality, the opposite was true. Labor became another form of genocide that opposite was true. Labor became another form of genocide that the Nazis called "extermination through work."the Nazis called "extermination through work."

Victims who were spared immediate death by being selected Victims who were spared immediate death by being selected for labor were systematically stripped of their individual for labor were systematically stripped of their individual identities. They had their hair shaved off and a registration identities. They had their hair shaved off and a registration number tattooed on their left forearm. Men were forced to number tattooed on their left forearm. Men were forced to wear ragged, striped pants and jackets, and women wore work wear ragged, striped pants and jackets, and women wore work dresses. Both were issued ill-fitting work shoes, sometimes dresses. Both were issued ill-fitting work shoes, sometimes clogs. They had no change of clothing and slept in the same clogs. They had no change of clothing and slept in the same clothes they worked in.clothes they worked in.

AuschwitzAuschwitzEach day was a struggle for survival under unbearable conditions. Prisoners were housed in primitive barracks that had no windows and were not insulated from the

heat or cold. There was no bathroom, only a bucket. Each barrack held about 36 wooden bunk beds, and inmates

were squeezed in five or six across on the wooden plank. As many as 500 inmates lodged in a single barrack.

●Inmates were always hungry. Food consisted of watery soup made with rotten vegetables and meat, a few

ounces of bread, a bit of margarine, tea, or a bitter drink resembling coffee. Diarrhea was common. People

weakened by dehydration and hunger fell easy victim to the contagious diseases that spread through the camp.

AuschwitzAuschwitz Some inmates worked as forced laborers inside the camp, in Some inmates worked as forced laborers inside the camp, in

the kitchen or as barbers, for example. Women often sorted the the kitchen or as barbers, for example. Women often sorted the piles of shoes, clothes, and other prisoner belongings, which piles of shoes, clothes, and other prisoner belongings, which

would be shipped back to Germany for use there. The storage would be shipped back to Germany for use there. The storage warehouses at warehouses at Auschwitz-BirkenauAuschwitz-Birkenau, located near two of the , located near two of the

crematoria, were called "Canada," because the Poles regarded crematoria, were called "Canada," because the Poles regarded that country as a place of great riches. At Auschwitz, as at that country as a place of great riches. At Auschwitz, as at hundreds of other camps in the Reich and occupied Europe hundreds of other camps in the Reich and occupied Europe

where the Germans used forced laborers, prisoners were also where the Germans used forced laborers, prisoners were also employed outside the camps, in coal mines and rock quarries, employed outside the camps, in coal mines and rock quarries,

and on construction projects, digging tunnels and canals. Under and on construction projects, digging tunnels and canals. Under armed guard, they shoveled snow off roads and cleared rubble armed guard, they shoveled snow off roads and cleared rubble from roads and towns hit during air raids. A large number of from roads and towns hit during air raids. A large number of

forced laborers eventually were used in factories that produced forced laborers eventually were used in factories that produced weapons and other goods that supported the German war effort. weapons and other goods that supported the German war effort.

Many private companies, such as I. G. Farben and Bavarian Many private companies, such as I. G. Farben and Bavarian Motor Works (BMW), which produced automobile and airplane Motor Works (BMW), which produced automobile and airplane

engines, eagerly sought the use of prisoners as a source of engines, eagerly sought the use of prisoners as a source of cheap labor.cheap labor.

Escape from Auschwitz was almost impossible. Electrically Escape from Auschwitz was almost impossible. Electrically charged barbed-wire fences surrounded both the concentration charged barbed-wire fences surrounded both the concentration

camp and the killing center. Guards, equipped with machine camp and the killing center. Guards, equipped with machine guns and automatic rifles, stood in the many watchtowers. The guns and automatic rifles, stood in the many watchtowers. The

lives of the prisoners were completely controlled by their lives of the prisoners were completely controlled by their guards, who on a whim could inflict cruel punishment on them. guards, who on a whim could inflict cruel punishment on them.

Prisoners were also mistreated by fellow inmates who were Prisoners were also mistreated by fellow inmates who were chosen to supervise the others in return for special favors by chosen to supervise the others in return for special favors by

the guards.the guards.

Auschwitz Auschwitz Cruel "medical experiments" were conducted at Cruel "medical experiments" were conducted at

Auschwitz. Men, women, and children were used as Auschwitz. Men, women, and children were used as subjects. SS physician Dr. Josef Mengele carried out subjects. SS physician Dr. Josef Mengele carried out

painful and traumatic experiments on dwarfs and twins, painful and traumatic experiments on dwarfs and twins, including young children. The aim of some experiments including young children. The aim of some experiments

was to find better medical treatments for German soldiers was to find better medical treatments for German soldiers and airmen. Other experiments were aimed at improving and airmen. Other experiments were aimed at improving

methods of sterilizing people the Nazis considered inferior. methods of sterilizing people the Nazis considered inferior. Many people died during the experiments. Others were Many people died during the experiments. Others were

killed after the "research" was completed and their organs killed after the "research" was completed and their organs removed for further study.removed for further study.

Most prisoners at Auschwitz survived only a few weeks or Most prisoners at Auschwitz survived only a few weeks or months. Those who were too ill or too weak to work were months. Those who were too ill or too weak to work were

condemned to death in the gas chambers. Some condemned to death in the gas chambers. Some committed suicide by throwing themselves against the committed suicide by throwing themselves against the

electric wires. Others resembled walking corpses, broken electric wires. Others resembled walking corpses, broken in body and spirit. Yet other inmates were determined to in body and spirit. Yet other inmates were determined to

stay alive.stay alive.

Auschwitz Auschwitz Some inmates worked as forced laborers inside the camp, in the Some inmates worked as forced laborers inside the camp, in the

kitchen or as barbers, for example. Women often sorted the piles of kitchen or as barbers, for example. Women often sorted the piles of shoes, clothes, and other prisoner belongings, which would be shipped shoes, clothes, and other prisoner belongings, which would be shipped back to Germany for use there. The storage warehouses at back to Germany for use there. The storage warehouses at Auschwitz-BirkenauAuschwitz-Birkenau, located near two of the crematoria, were called , located near two of the crematoria, were called "Canada," because the Poles regarded that country as a place of great "Canada," because the Poles regarded that country as a place of great riches. At Auschwitz, as at hundreds of other camps in the riches. At Auschwitz, as at hundreds of other camps in the ReichReich and and occupied Europe where the Germans used forced laborers, prisoners occupied Europe where the Germans used forced laborers, prisoners were also employed outside the camps, in coal mines and rock quarries, were also employed outside the camps, in coal mines and rock quarries, and on construction projects, digging tunnels and canals. Under armed and on construction projects, digging tunnels and canals. Under armed guard, they shoveled snow off roads and cleared rubble from roads and guard, they shoveled snow off roads and cleared rubble from roads and towns hit during air raids. A large number of forced laborers eventually towns hit during air raids. A large number of forced laborers eventually were used in factories that produced weapons and other goods that were used in factories that produced weapons and other goods that supported the German war effort. Many private companies, such as I. G. supported the German war effort. Many private companies, such as I. G. Farben and Bavarian Motor Works (BMW), which produced automobile Farben and Bavarian Motor Works (BMW), which produced automobile and airplane engines, eagerly sought the use of prisoners as a source of and airplane engines, eagerly sought the use of prisoners as a source of cheap labor.cheap labor.

Escape from Auschwitz was almost impossible. Electrically charged Escape from Auschwitz was almost impossible. Electrically charged barbed-wire fences surrounded both the concentration camp and the barbed-wire fences surrounded both the concentration camp and the killing center. Guards, equipped with machine guns and automatic killing center. Guards, equipped with machine guns and automatic rifles, stood in the many watchtowers. The lives of the prisoners were rifles, stood in the many watchtowers. The lives of the prisoners were completely controlled by their guards, who on a whim could inflict cruel completely controlled by their guards, who on a whim could inflict cruel punishment on them. Prisoners were also mistreated by fellow inmates punishment on them. Prisoners were also mistreated by fellow inmates who were chosen to supervise the others in return for special favors by who were chosen to supervise the others in return for special favors by the guards.the guards.

AuschwitzAuschwitzCruel "medical experiments" were conducted at Cruel "medical experiments" were conducted at

Auschwitz. Men, women, and children were used as Auschwitz. Men, women, and children were used as subjects. SS physician Dr. Josef Mengele carried out subjects. SS physician Dr. Josef Mengele carried out

painful and traumatic experiments on dwarfs and twins, painful and traumatic experiments on dwarfs and twins, including young children. The aim of some experiments including young children. The aim of some experiments

was to find better medical treatments for German soldiers was to find better medical treatments for German soldiers and airmen. Other experiments were aimed at improving and airmen. Other experiments were aimed at improving

methods of sterilizing people the Nazis considered inferior. methods of sterilizing people the Nazis considered inferior. Many people died during the experiments. Others were Many people died during the experiments. Others were

killed after the "research" was completed and their organs killed after the "research" was completed and their organs removed for further study.removed for further study.

Most prisoners at Auschwitz survived only a few weeks or Most prisoners at Auschwitz survived only a few weeks or months. Those who were too ill or too weak to work were months. Those who were too ill or too weak to work were

condemned to death in the gas chambers. Some condemned to death in the gas chambers. Some committed suicide by throwing themselves against the committed suicide by throwing themselves against the

electric wires. Others resembled walking corpses, broken electric wires. Others resembled walking corpses, broken in body and spirit. Yet other inmates were determined to in body and spirit. Yet other inmates were determined to

stay alive.stay alive.

The gates of Auschwitz The gates of Auschwitz

Images of the Holocaust Images of the Holocaust

German soldiers of German soldiers of the Waffen-SS and the Waffen-SS and the Reich Labor the Reich Labor Service look on as a Service look on as a member of an member of an Einsatzgruppe Einsatzgruppe (mobile killing unit) (mobile killing unit) prepares to shoot a prepares to shoot a Ukrainian Jew Ukrainian Jew kneeling on the edge kneeling on the edge of a mass grave filled of a mass grave filled with corpses.with corpses. United United States Holocaust States Holocaust Memorial Museum Memorial Museum #64407/Library of #64407/Library of Congress Congress

More ImagesMore Images

Deportation from the Westerbork transit camp. The Netherlands, 1943-1944.

Prisoners were forced to have their heads shaved, as a form of dehumanizing them.

Images of the prisoners Images of the prisoners of Auschwitzof Auschwitz

After American After American Liberation Liberation

Soon after liberation, a Soviet physician examines Auschwitz camp survivors. Poland, February 18, 1945

American military personnel view corpses in the Buchenwald concentration camp. This photograph was taken after the liberation of the camp. Germany, April 18, 1945.