Hitler’s Rise to Power

Steps to the Final Solution (eliminate all Jews)

Unanswered Questions

Anti-Semitism: prejudice against the Jewish people

Aryan: term used to describe the Nazi’s concept of a superior race

Prejudice: negative preconceived opinion about a group of people

Discrimination: treat unfavorably on the basis of race, color, or sex

Stereotype: treat or classify according to a mental conception or image

Scapegoat: a person or group of people blamed for the actions of others

Bystander: a person who is present at an event, but does not participate or object to what is happening

Holocaust: total burnt offering

Shoah: Jewish term for the HolocaustGenocide: systematic murder of all people

in a targeted groupTotalitarianism: total control of all aspects

of life (people or state) by one person or party

High unemploymentHigh povertyPromised: food and jobs

Had to accept blame for World War IPay large amounts for damages (reparation)Give up coloniesPromised: avenge Germany’s loss and scrap

treaty

Anti-SemiticSway public’s opinionPromised: “proper enlightenment” (Aryan

race)

German Propaganda

This is an example

of German

propaganda

during World War

II. This pictures

states that “the

Jew is the most

poisonous

mushroom in

existence.” This

particular picture

was used to teach

children anti-

Semitic beliefs.

Jews became the “scapegoats” for all Germany’s problems

They were the reason for unemployment, poverty, and loss of national pride

Strong love for the “fatherland”Basis for national superiority: Germans are

superior to all racesHitler used feelings to promote national pride

or racism

Treaty of Versailles reduced Germany’s military power

Promised: ignore the treaty and rebuild the military

Germany had long history of governments ruled by dictatorial rule (ruling family)

Greatest moments in history occurred under totalitarianism rule

Promised: return to tradition

Used terror to maintain powerEstablished Storm troopers (SR) and then SS

(elite of German army)Formed secret police called the Gestapo

Signs to stop Germans from supporting Jewish businesses

Public yelling of insults

Signs to compare Jews to rats

Declared Jews 2nd class citizens

Excluded from the practice of law, medicine, teaching, and professional jobs

Social contact with Jews illegal

Special I.D. cardsCannot: go to beach,

use public transportation, own a car

Can be: evicted, divorced, shop during certain hours

Heavily guarded and isolated (fenced in) areas of cities

Used to contain growing numbers of Jews

Not allowed to leave

Serious lack of food and water

Jewish men, women, and children

80 – 100 Jews placed in a cattle car

No food, little water, one bucket for personal needs, one window

Dead thrown out at “stops”

Upon arrival separated into 2 columns: Live or die

Small children (babies) killed immediately in fire pits- alive

Where was the rest of the world?

Why didn’t the Jews resist?

Why didn’t the Germans protest?

“Whoever hates, hates his brother, and whenever one hates his brother, one always hates himself.”