The holocaust Flashcards
What is the Holocaust
systematic persecution and killing of European Jews by the Nazis between 1933-1945. This process started with “smaller” acts of discrimination and ended with the murder of 6 million people or 2/3 of the Jewish population in Europe
What is genocide
Genocide is basically the mass killing of people of a certain, race, religion, nation or ethnic group. Genocide doesn’t usually happen at once and is seen in five stages of Escalation (just like the Holocaust.)
Holocaust stage 1: identification and stripping of rights
In 1933, the persecution of Jews began. In 1935, Nuremberg laws stripped Jews of basic human and citizenship rights. They were forced to carry ID and wear identification masks. Marriages between Jewish and Non-Jewish Germans were also made illegal.
Holocaust stage 2: Segregation
Between 1939-1941, Jews in Nazi territory were forced to live in Ghettos or slums. 356 ghettos were built by the Nazis in Poland, Romania, Hungary and other countries they controlled during WW2. The Ghettos were of poor condition, being filthy and overcrowded with lack of food. Many Jews bravely tried to fight back, especially in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising in Poland in 1943. The fighters were unsuccessful and thousands were burned alive in retaliation.
Holocaust stage 3: Concentration into camps
Jews and other “undesirables” (LGBTQ, Romani people, etc) were held prisoner in concentration camps. Some were forced to work as slaves in labor camps while millions died in death camps. In these camps, prisoner’s possessions were confiscated, heads were shaved, arms were tattooed, prison uniforms had to be worn, men and women were seperated, they were starved, survived based on trade skills/physical strength, Unsanitary disease ridden and lice infected Barracks. Cruel and pointless medical experiments were conducted.
Stage 4 Holocaust: Extermination
On 1941, Germany begins it’s final solution on getting rid of the Jews and the targeted groups, which is to KILL THEM ALL. Some communities forced people who were rounded up to dig their own graves and then they were shot by Einsatzgruppen which was a mobile killing squad. Some other cases showed people being forced out of the Ghettos and into concentration camps, where they were systematically killed. The camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau killed 8000 every day in gas chambers. These bodies were frequently burned in massive ovens or shoveled naked into pits.
Stage 4 Holocaust: Extermination
On 1941, Germany begins it’s final solution on getting rid of the Jews and the targeted groups, which is to KILL THEM ALL. Some communities forced people who were rounded up to dig their own graves and then they were shot by Einsatzgruppen which was a mobile killing squad. Some other cases showed people being forced out of the Ghettos and into concentration camps, where they were systematically killed. The camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau killed 8000 every day in gas chambers. These bodies were frequently burned in massive ovens or shoveled naked into pits.
Holocaust stage 5: Aftermath
After the war, many Nazi leaders were put on trial and imprisoned or executed for war crimes. Others managed to escape and the hunt for them continues to this day. Millions of people who survived the Holocaust had no homes or families to return to.
Holocaust total death toll
Other people were also targeted for persecution and murder. These included Romani people, people with disabilities, Jehovah’s witnesses, LGBTQ+ people, Polish people, communists and anyone who spoke out against the Nazi government also faced imprisonment and murder in concentration camps. Overall, 6 million Jews and 5 million members of other groups were killed during the Holocaust.
