Development if anti-Semitic policies

Question 1

What was the Nazi-Soviet pact in 1939?

Answer 1

USSR agreed not to oppose the German invasion of Poland

Question 2

What was the Anschluss with Austria?

Answer 2

Union with Austria was banned under Treaty of Versaille
Was achieved without a shot being fired and German troops were welcomed enthusiastically by Austrians
‘Bloodless victory’ emboldened Hitler

Question 3

What were some Anti-Semitic decrees from April to Nov 1938?

Answer 3

Decree of Registration of Jewish property provided for confiscation of Jewish property worth more than 5000 marks
30,000 Jewish travelling salesmen lost their jobs
Oct 1938 - passports stamped with ‘J’
1939 - Men adoptes name ‘Israel’ and women ‘Sarah’

Question 4

What was Reichskristallnacht on 9-10th Nov 1938?

Answer 4

Jewish homes and businesses looted/vandalised, synagogues set ablaze and thousands of Jews beaten up - 91 killed
Orchestrated by Nazi leadership, majority SS and SA men, instigated by Goebbels
SS order police not to intervene, fire brigade only concerned if fires spread to other buildings
Some citizens joined in but many were horrified

Question 5

What did war with Poland provide the regime with?

Answer 5

A national emergency that enabled them to act with more dictatorial power and greater secrecy
A propaganda machine to whip up patriotism and hatred for enemies

Question 6

What was the Madagascar Plan?

Answer 6

Idea of removing all Jews to island of Madagascar
Planned for 4 million Jews to be sent there
Living conditions were harsh and would lead to elimination through natural wastage
Talk about moving to Palestine but Madagascar was further and had no political problems to get around

Shows decision to exterminate Jews was not made yet but shows determination to remove Jews from Europe was keen