The Racial State-Policies towards the Jews 1940-41

Question 1

How did Hitler seem to have a free hand to fulfil his aim of Lebensraum?

Answer 1

Won a series of Blitzkrieg victories in the West, defeating France and leaving Britain isolated leaving no opponents to protect Poland

Question 2

What was Operation Barbarossa?

Answer 2

The conquest of the USSR; occupying vast territories in Eastern Poland, the Baltic States, western Russia and Ukraine

Question 3

When was Operation Barbarossa?

Answer 3

June 1941

Question 4

How many Jews were brought under German rule after the invasion?

Answer 4

3 million Soviet Jews were immediately brought under German rule

Question 5

What did Goering issue in July 1941 that made it clear that killing was the overall mission of the invasion?

Answer 5

Goering issued a general order to kill communist commissars (party officials assigned to Red Army) and Jewish sympathisers

Question 6

What measures had further isolated Jews from German society by late 1941?

Answer 6

• Radio sets confiscated from Jews; in November 1939 Jews banned from buying radios month later banned from chocolate
• In 1940, Jews excluded from wartime rationing allowances for clothing and shoes and could only enter shops from 4pm to 5pm in Berlin
• In 1941, Jews required to have police permit to travel
• December 1941, Jews in Germany compelled to wear yellow Star of David