Bombing Auschwitz:Analyzing and Evaluating

Primary Source Documents

Author: Sandy RenkenUSHMM Museum Teacher Fellow 2006

Student Objectives:

• Students will:– Analyze primary source documents for

available information– Teach classmates necessary information from

documents.– Analyze the complexities of decisions made

during war, especially in regard to humanitarian crises

– Make connections to the decision made during WWII & today by our current leaders

Background Information Check for Understanding-

• The Complex– During the Spring and Summer of

1944, what was taking place at Auschwitz-Birkenau?

– What was Auschwitz I?– What was Auschwitz II?– What was Auschwitz III?

• The Railways– Why were the rail lines critical to the Nazi

exterminations that were taking place?

• Information Available– What information was available to the Allies

and how did they get this information?

Group Activity #1

• Students will be divided into groups and given a primary source document to analyze.

• One person should read the document to the group.

• A second person should summarize what the group will write on their graphic organizer.

•

Group Activity #2

• Students will now be divided into groups where each member will have a different primary source document.

• Each person should share their document in the order that is on the graphic organizer.

• A leader should summarize what each person is going to put on the graphic organizer.

• If students finish early, they should discuss their feelings on a potential bombing of Auschwitz.

Closing Discussion

• What would bombing the rail lines do?

• The U.S. War Department says Auschwitz-Birkenau is not in bombing range. How do you respond?

• What would be the consequences of bombing the camps?

Closing Discussion cont.

• What were the military objectives for the war?

• Could a bombing by the Allies fuel a German propaganda campaign?

• Could the bombing of Auschwitz be considered a violation of International Law?

• Additional questions?

Homework:

RAFT

From what you have learned about Auschwitz, the photographs, the McCloy/World Jewish Congress letters, and Elie Wiesel’s memoir, answer the following questions. Use examples from the documents that were analyzed in your response.

Why bomb Auschwitz? What was the purpose? What were the possible risks for the United States in carrying out the

bombing? What were the benefits? Are the arguments to bomb/not to bomb Auschwitz primarily military

or moral in nature? Defend your answer. Overall, using what was known in 1944, what would you think to be the

correct decision- to bomb or not to bomb Auschwitz? Should a country or organization ever bomb a country or region for

humanitarian reasons? In what situations and at what cost? Role- Maintain the voice and information of the writer’s role throughout your piece.

Audience- Determine who you want to write to. Keep them in mind as you write.

Format- Choose one of the following written formats to explain and discuss your opinion.

Topic- Explain and discuss your overall opinion as to whether Auschwitz should have/have not been bombed.

Historian who has stumbled upon the same primary source documents.

President Roosevelt in order to help him choose a course of action for the Jews remaining/being deported to Auschwitz.

Letter to persuade someone to act or change their opinion

I believe the United States/Allies should have bombed Auschwitz.

Allied soldier who becomes aware of the situation of the Hungarian Jews of 1944.

Class of high school students interested in this same topic.

Editorial/Op. Ed piece for a nationally syndicated newspaper.

I believe the United States/Allies should not have bombed Auschwitz.

American journalist sent to cover the World War II in Poland.

A parent/family member interested in what you’re learning in school.

Journal entries discussing opinions as information presents itself.

I believe that there are arguments for both bombing/not bombing Auschwitz. I truly can’t decide.

A student who has just learned about Auschwitz & the Holocaust

United Nations committee

Essay

A writer commissioned to write a piece about the Holocaust.

Activists calling for the U.S. to claim responsibility for their actions during WWII & The Holocaust.

Extensions