The Holocaust

Timeline

Rise of the Nazi party (1918-1933)

Nazification (1933-39)

The Ghettos (1939-41)

The Camps (1941-44)

Resistance (1942-44)

Rescue and Liberation (1944-1945)

Aftermath (Post 1945)

Rise of the Nazi Party (1918-33)

Defeat in World War One and the Treaty of Versailles injured German pride.

Many felt that Germany was betrayed by left wing politicians, communists and Jews.

A New Political Party

Adolf Hitler joined the German Workers Party in 1919, quickly rising to lead the party in 1921. He changed the name to the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP) or “Nazi Party”.

Hitler Imprisoned A failed armed attempt to overthrow the government in Munich, known as the Beer Putsch, resulted in Hitler being charged with high treason and spending 5 years in jail.

While in prison, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle), later published in 1925.

This book essentially became the handbook for the racist ideals of the Nazi Party.

Growth in Nazi Popularity

Hitler resurrected the Nazi Party when he got out of prison.

Hitler’s charisma, public speaking abilities and use of propaganda helped the party grow.

The effects of the Great Depression on Germany caused many to seek radical change.

In 1933, President Paul Von Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor.

Nazification of Germany (1933-39)

Violated Treaty of Versailles and began rearmament of military.

Use of propaganda to garner support.

Hitler called the 1933 burning of the Reichstag, the beginnings of a communist revolution.

Depriving Jews of Their Rights

Initially passing laws to limit freedoms of Jews: Keeping them out of medical professions, teaching and universities.

Then more aggressive: boycotting Jewish shops/businesses and book burnings of Jewish literature.

In 1934 President Hindenburg died and Hitler combined the offices of Reich Chancellor and President – declaring himself Fuhrer.

In 1935 Hitler announced the Nuremberg Laws, which stripped Jews of their civil rights.

These laws also affected people who did not consider themselves Jewish, but were identified as being “non-Aryans”.

November 9, 1938 a free for all against the Jews initiated by Joseph Goebbels. “Night of Broken Glass” (Kristallnacht).

On this night, Jewish synagogues, businesses and houses were robbed, set on fire and many destroyed.

About 100 Jews killed and 30,000 sent to concentration camps.

The Ghettos (1939-41)Confining Jews to live in designated areas, used as collection points for deportation to death camps and concentration camps.

Jews ten years of age and older had to wear a Star of David on armbands, or pinned to their clothing. Jews were not allowed to leave, under penalty of death.

Conditions were filthy, and inhumane.

In total, 356 ghettos were established between 1939 and 1945.

The Camps (1941-44)There were concentration camps, forced labour camps, death camps/extermination camps, transit camps and prisoner of war camps…living conditions were terrible in all of them.

Occupants were Jews, but also Jehovah’s Witnesses, Sinti-Roma “Gypsies” and homosexuals.

Primary use of camps was to carry out the “Final Solution” and rid Europe of all Jews.

Six large death camps constructed in Poland: Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, Belzek, Sobibor, Lublin, and Chelmno.

A photo taken of female prisonersat Auschwitz.

Auschwitz was the longest running camp, operating until the summer of 1944. It’s final death count was about 1 million Jews and 1 million non-Jews.

Total figure for the Jewish genocide (including shootings and camps) is between 5.2 and 5.8 million and over 5 million other victims perished at the hands of Nazi Germany.

Jewish kids in Auschwitz 2 (Birkenau)

Resistance (1942-44)Resistance took place in many forms and in many places.

Resistance ranged from secretly practicing Jewish rituals to guerrilla warfare.

In 1943 a group of Jews launched an armed revolt and fought for over a month. The Nazi’s used their tanks and man power to quell the rebellion. It is known as “The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising”.

Rescue and Liberation (1944-45)

Many selflessly rescued or aided Jews and others from Nazi persecution, most notably Oscar Schindler who saved over 1000 Jews from their deaths.

Allied troops were shocked to stumble upon concentration camps – large ditches filled with bodies, rooms of baby shoes and gas chambers with fingernail marks on the walls.

Inmates were overjoyed to see Allied troops.

The Aftermath (Post 1945)

Two issues arose: retribution for perpetrators and the re-settlement of people uprooted by the war.

The allies set up Displaced Person (DPs) Camps to help accommodate millions of displaced people.

On November 29, 1947 the United Nations created the Jewish State of Israel (dividing Palestine).

Also, many Jews immigrated to North America and other parts of the world.

Many post-war trials were held to punish those involved in the Nazi regime.

Most notably were the Nuremberg Trials (1945-46), in which the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics had the task of prosecuting Nazi war criminals.

• Through these trials much of the world learned the realities of the Holocaust.

A photo of the Nuremberg Trials.

Sources

• Baldwin, Doug, Rick Mahoney, Don Quinlan and Kevin Reed. The Canadian Challenge. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2008.

• “A Teachers' Guide to the Holocaust”. http://fcit.usf.edu/holocaust/timeline/timeline.htm