Persecution of the Jews

The Jews and Anti-Semitism

The Jews did not fit into the Aryan vision and were believed to be 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 long 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.

1Dictatorship

1.1Hitler & The Nazi Party in 1933

1.1.1The Origins of the Nazi Party

1.1.2Hitler & The Growth of the Party

1.1.3The 1932 Election

1.2Establishing Dictatorship, 1933-1934

1.2.1Establishing Dictatorship

1.2.2Achieving Total Power, July 1933 - August 1934

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Dictatorship

1.2.4Grade 9 - Dictatorship

2Control & Opposition

2.1The Machinery of Terror

2.1.1Police State & Legal System

2.1.2The Gestapo & SS

2.1.3Concentration Camps

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Control & Opposition

2.2Nazi Propaganda

2.2.1The Effectiveness of Nazi Propaganda

2.3Opposition to Nazi Rule

2.3.1The Left

2.3.2Church Leaders

2.3.3Youth Groups

2.3.4Support for Nazi Rule

2.3.5End of Topic Test - Propaganda & Opposition

2.3.6Grade 9 - Propaganda & Opposition

3Changing Lives, 1933-1939

3.1Work & Home

3.1.1Work

3.1.2Home

3.2The Lives of Young People

3.2.1Education

3.2.2Youth Movements

3.3Nazi Racial Policy

3.3.1Racial Policy

3.3.2Persecution of the Jews

3.3.3End of Topic Test 0 Changing Lives

3.3.4Grade 9 - Changing Lives

4Germany in War

4.1The Impact of War

4.1.1Impact of the War Economy on the People

4.1.2Impact of Total War on the People

4.2Growing Opposition from the German People

4.2.1Opposition from the People

4.2.2Opposition from the Army

4.2.3End of Topic Test - Germany in War

4.2.4Grade 9 - Germany in War

5Occupation

5.1Nazi Rule in Eastern and Western Europe

5.1.1The Start of World War 2

5.1.2Western Europe

5.1.3Eastern Europe

5.1.4End of Topic Test - Occupation

5.2The Final Solution

5.2.1Ghettos & Executions

5.2.2Death Camps

5.2.3End of Topic Test - The Final Solution

5.3Responses to Nazi Rule

5.3.1Collaboration

5.3.2Accommodation

5.3.3Resistance

5.3.4End of Topic Test - Responses to Nazi Rule

5.3.5Grade 9 - Occupation

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