The Persecution of the Jews

The Jews and Anti-Semitism

The Jews did not fit into the Aryan vision and were believed to be the lowest level of untermenschen (sub-humans). They were hated for a number of reasons and many people were anti-Semitic (strong dislike of the Jews).

Beliefs about the Jews

Jews in Germany were often associated with communism.
Many Jews were very wealthy and the Jews were blamed for the German defeat in World War One.
Therefore, anti-Semitism (strong dislike of Jews) was popular in Germany amongst some people before the Nazis came into power.
- This was why many of the German population did not question the persecution (unfair treatment) of Jews.

Working Jews in Germany

In 1933, the Nazis made it difficult for Jews to work in Germany.
- For example, there was a boycott on Jewish businesses.
The Nazis drew yellow stars on their doors to stop people going inside.
Jews who worked for the government were fired.
In 1936, it was forbidden for Jews to be professions such as a doctor, vet, accountant, teacher or nurse.

Anti-Semitism

In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws made anti-Semitism legal.
- The Reich Law on Citizenship stated that Jews were no longer allowed to be German citizens and lost their rights.
- The Reich Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honour stated that Jews could not marry German citizens.
In 1939, Jews had to have a ‘J’ stamped on their passport and add Israel (for men) or Sarah (for women) to their name.

The Persecution of the Jews - The Holocaust

The Jews were persecuted (treated unfairly) the most out of all ethnic minorities in Germany. The Holocaust describes the murder of around 6 million Jews in Nazi Germany.

Kristallnacht (the Night of the Broken Glass), 1938

On 9th November 1938, the Nazis staged Kristallnacht in response to a Jew assassinating a German ambassador in Paris.
In Kristallnacht, the SS organised a series of attacks on Jewish communities. They destroyed Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues.
Kristallnacht was a turning point for Jews. This was the first time they had been physically harmed by the Nazis.
- Afterwards, it was clear that Jews needed to flee Germany.

The ghettos

In the Second World War, the persecution (unfair treatment) of the Jews escalated.
From 1939, Jews began to be placed in ghettos. A ghetto was an area of a city solely occupied by Jews, separate from the rest of the city’s population.
- The first ghettos were built in Poland and eventually over 1,000 were built in Poland and the Soviet Union. Many people died from starvation and disease in the ghettos.

Execution

After the Germans invaded the Soviet Union, all Jews they crossed were killed by the Einsatzgruppen (SS killing squad). This led to over 1 million Jews being killed.
By December 1941, Jews were being gassed at Chelmno death camp.

The Final Solution

After the Wannsee Conference in January 1942, the ‘Final Solution of the Jewish Question’ was decided.
- 6 death camps with gas chambers were built in Poland.
Out of all the Jews killed, 60% were killed after 1942, after the Wannsee Conference.

Public Reaction

No one spoke out to help the Jews.
- Many helped the Nazis, others stood back and did nothing because either it did not affect them or they were too scared of the Nazis.
Many Jews and others did not know what happened at the camps. They took suitcases and bought their own train tickets to get to the death camps.

1The Weimar Republic 1918-1929

1.1World War One

1.1.1WW1

1.1.2The Weimar Republic

1.1.3Early Challenges to Weimar

1.1.4Reparations & the Ruhr

1.1.5Weimar Recovery

1.1.6Weimar Living Standards

1.1.7Weimar Culture

1.1.8End of Topic Test - WW1 & Weimar

1.1.9Grade 9 - The Weimar Republic

2Hitler's Rise to Power 1919-1933

2.1Early Development of the Nazi Party

2.1.1Hitler & the Beginnings of the Nazi Party

2.1.2End of Topic Test - Start of the Nazi Party

2.2The Munich Putsch & the Lean Years

2.2.1The Munich Putsch

2.2.2The Lean Years, 1923-1929

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Putsch & Lean Years

2.2.4Grade 9 - Hitler's Rise to Power

2.3The Growth of Support for the Nazis

2.3.1The Impact of the Great Depression

2.3.2End of Topic Test - Great Depression

2.4How Hitler Became Chancellor

2.4.1Article 48 & Political Turmoil

2.4.2von Papen & Hindenburg's Pact

2.4.3End of Topic Test - Chancellory

2.4.4Grade 9 - How Hitler Became Chancellor

3Nazi Control & Dictatorship 1933-1939

3.1Creating a Dictatorship, 1933-1934

3.1.1The Rise of Hitler

3.1.2End of Topic Test - Dictatorship

3.2The Police State

3.2.1The Police State

3.2.2Repression & Concentration Camps

3.2.3The Nazis & Religion

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Police State

3.2.5Grade 9 - Dictatorship and Police State

3.3Controlling & Influencing Attitudes

3.3.1Propaganda & Censorship

3.3.2Nazi Art & Culture

3.3.3Church Opposition & Social Conformity

3.3.4Youth Opposition & the July Plot

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Controlling Attitudes

3.3.6Grade 9 - Controlling Attitudes

4Life in Nazi Germany 1933-1939

4.1Life in Nazi Germany

4.1.1Women in Nazi Germany

4.1.2Youths in Nazi Germany

4.1.3Employment & Living Standards

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Life in Nazi Germany

4.2The Persecution of Minorities

4.2.1Nazi Racial Beliefs

4.2.2The Persecution of the Jews

4.2.3The Death Camps

4.2.4End of Topic Test - Persecution

4.2.5Grade 9 - Life in Nazi Germany

Jump to other topics