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Holocaust
The genocide of approximately 6 million European Jews during World War II planned by Adolf Hitler.
11,094 Questions
Did the Jews know what was happening to their own people?
I don't think they actually realised what was going to happen to them because Hitler was that good at twisting things that he probably made the Jews feel like he did it to random people
They realized that Hitler was targeting the Jews. However, they thought that things would get better soon and had no idea that the holocaust would escalate to become the horror that it was.
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The answer depends a bit on when. The persecution of the Jews in Nazi Germany began early, but very few thought it would become more and more extreme, let alone culminate in genocide. A very small number of people, such as Armin T. Wegner (who had witnessed the Turkish genocide of the Armenians in World War 1), already had a premonition in 1933, but their fears were rejected as crazy.
The German Jews were, after all, Germans ... Many found it almost impossible to believe that 'Germans could do such things'. With the benefit of hindsight, this sound naive, but to an extent we all have some confidence in the basic decency of the people(s) in our native countries.
This is some evidence that by 1941-42 many German Jews had some idea about what would happen to them and didn't want to know the details. It was, perhaps, an inevitable form self-deception.
What term was given to Nazi Germany's systematic annihilation of European Jews?
'Blitzkrieg' means lightening war. It was first used by the Germans in World War 2 and was a tactic based on speed and surprise and needed a military force to be based around light tank units supported by planes and infantry. As a tactic it was used to devastating effect in the first years of World War 2 and resulted in the British and French armies being pushed back in just a few weeks to the beaches of Dunkirk and the Russian army being devastated in the attack on Russia in June 1941. It was not directly related to the extermination of the Jews
Why do the Jewish call the Holocaust the Shoah?
This word, Shoah (שואה), became widely used to refer to the Holocaust by the Jewish communities in the 1940's and is often still used today. It comes from the Bible and means "Calamity". It can also be spelled Sho'ah and Shoa.
How has Anne Frank affected the future?
Anne Frank was the young Jewish writer whose diaries about her family's hiding from the Nazis became famous. She gave a human face and name to the horrors of the Holocaust and is one of the most iconic figures of the event.
How tall was the fence t Auschwitz?
The height of the smallest and tallest fences of the concentration camps is from 6f 10 inches to 8f 6 inches but the size wont matter because the fences were electrical fences and the fences has 600v at least in them, so any escape attempt on the fences will end would be lethal.
When did the concentration camps start and end?
The Nazi concentration camps started days after the Nazis were elected into office in 1933. They ended when the Nazis were removed from power in 1945.
Why did world leader ignore hitler's genocide against the jews during the war?
There are a number of issues which must be understand to respond to the question regarding why world leaders seemingly ignored Hitler's "Final Solution" [Ger. 'Endlosung] regarding the Jews.
To begin with, the leaders did not ignore the plight of the Jews, and most were too well aware of at least some of what was going on despite intense efforts of the Third Reich to hide the mass exterminations of the Jews of Europe. The information regarding what was happening came from several sources:
1. International and National Intelligence Sources
2. Jewish 'watchdog' organizations
3. Journalists and other Media
4. The Red Cross [allowed into several of the camps to report on prisoners]
5. Information transferred by German soldiers and soldiers of Axis and Allied powers
6. References of the German government in the press
7. A few 'escapees' who managed to get back from incarceration in camps such as Auschwitz, along with church/dissident leaders imprisoned for a time who were released
8. Vatican reports including reports of nunciatures (offices of Vatican representation in the countries), and internal letters and reports, as well as 'lobbying' efforts in the US.
9. The convening of several conferences most notably the 'Evian Conference' to discuss the fate and possible resettlement of the Jews or 'political asylum' for some of the Jews.
The Evian Conference, attended by representatives of a number of nations though was not promising: only a few nations were willing to allow a few Jews refuge since many believed that any nation allowing large numbers of Jews to escape would incur the wrath of Hitler, and bring them into a war they did not want to enter. The US would only take about 900 refugees in Safe haven in Oswego, due to the efforts of a photojournalist, Ruth Gruber. The debate about the immigration of the Jews raged in Congress, with only a few advocates such as Senator Claude Pepper, but with an over-representation of German-heritage senators, most were opposed to opening the door to many Jews and some lobbied for complete closure of all immigration.
Costa Rica and Singapore agreed to take refugees but they still had to be able to get to safe haven, a very difficult task since any Jews wishing to leave had to check with their police departments for background checks to leave the country, and most of the police were SS shortly into the war. Even the US does not appear to have been as responsive as one would hope, since early in the war, viewing both the British and Germans as too imperialistic (we were also) the decision had not been made which side to ally with.
Hitler's army (Wehrmacht*) was one of the world's best trained and most systematic, and ruthless armies the world has known. The Reich would first send troops into an area to 'advise' governments and policing efforts, then set up puppet governments of their own people, and then send in troops so that few nations which were overtaken met with much in the form of resistance though many tried, such as the Netherlands, France, and Greece. The Germans did not readily adhere to any international law nor the Geneva Treaty, so there was no appeal when they came into an area, demanding the roundup of Jewish citizens. Hungary initially refused any aid in the endeavor, but the Reich army marched the Jews of Budapest to borders over which they had more control.
One remarkable little nation, Denmark, under King Christian when the Reich came to arrest the Jews, had almost the entire populace put on yellow stars making the Jews more difficult to detect and thwarting the efforts at least for a time.
It was not that the nations ignored Hitler's genocide, but that they were constantly wary of being brought into a war they had no resources to fight, afraid for their own general populations, and unfortunately, the Jews have always suffered from feelings of anti-Semitism in many countries, so that even the knowledge of their plight did not bring help.
There should have been much more help and protest than there was, but individuals, some churches and other agencies worked behind the scene in rescue efforts, but the effect was minimal: attempts to aid the Jews were met with violence against the Jews and those who tried to help, so it was like walking a tightrope to try to save as many lives as possible without making matters worse. This does not excuse the lack of support which could have stopped the war and genocide, but it helps one to understand their reasoning.
By the end of the war, by January of 1945 when Auschwitz was liberated by the Russians, and later when Nordhausen, Dachau and others were liberated by the US, it became clear that the Reich had committed atrocities unheard of in human history against innocent people on the basis of their religion and race.
There is yet one other unfortunate truth: many nations, the US in particular, had contributed to the Nazi war effort early in the war, and some large US corporations had benefitted from slave labor of the Jews, as had some churches. This very sad commentary on why the war against the Jews did not end earlier, is a lesson to be taken into account regarding what is important in the life of a nation.
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*The Wehrmacht was always the name for the German army. When Hitler took over, many SA members joined (brownshirts) and other Nazi party members. All of the soldiers were required to hold party membership and sign loyalty oaths.
Read more: Why_did_world_leaders_ignore_Hitler's_genocide_against_the_Jews_during_the_war
How were the Jewish ghettos run?
the occupants were ordered to create their own council, from this they had their own town hall, with various administrative departments they would also have their own services, including police fire and medical services.
The level of control that the council (and council leader) imposed on the people in the ghettos differed.
What are the estimated value of 15 unpublished original Holocaust photos?
Original photographs of the Holocaust itself are extremely rare as photography without permission was strictly forbidden. Similarly, photos of Nazi atrocities taken at the time are also very rare. A few SS men and other soldiers did, however, break the rules. What is more common is photos taken of the aftermath by Allied soldiers, for example, of emaciated survivors.
As for the value, I think you ought to ask a major auction house.
What were some reasons that Hitler didn't like Jews?
Hitler was not liked by many Jews because he rounded up and executed their whole families. He transported German Jews by train, along with gypsies, communists, homosexuals, and many ethnic minorities, to forced labor, or "concentration" camps, where they were starved. They were also cruelly tortured under the guise of being an experiment. In one such "experiment" they were forced to stand naked outside in winter or immersed in freezing water, and data was recorded as they froze to death.
Did the people of Austria vote to have Hitler as their ruler?
The Royal Forces fought back. The women were scared, screamed and ran. The Japanese attacked the country but did not manage to invaded it and occupy it. The President then had the women and children sent south to keep them protected. The women took care of the kids and wounded warriors. There is a great Hollywood movie made back in the Forties about the attack on Darwin and the evacuation of the people. Do not recall the name of the movie.
What role did the United Nations play during the holocaust?
The United Kingdom was at war with Germany from September 1945 till May 1945 - longer than any other country. Obviously, it did not participate in the Holocaust. Between 1933 and the outbreak of war in 1939 the United Kingdom accepted a total of 71,000 refugees from Nazi Germany (and later also Austria). The country could have accepted more.
How were babies killed in concentration camps?
Many Jewish children were murdered in the Holocaust about 1.5 million children under the ages of 12 were murdered in this horrific event. Although the exact amount of babies is unaccounted for. The Germans took no mercy Jewish babies in their eyes had the same value as an old man. So these babies were picked off in places like gas chambers or a mass shooting by German officials.
How many socialists did Hitler kill?
The holocaust was a systematic genocide of Jews and other social, political and religious groups at the hands of Nazi Germany before and during the WW II. An estimated six million Jews and five million non-Jews were exterminated during the holocaust. The German socialists/communists were the first ones to be sent to concentration camps for their proximity to Soviet Union and opposition to Nazi beliefs. However, they numbered much less than other targeted group. If the number of Soviet POWs (2 million) and Soviet civilians killed during the Operation Barbarossa (5.5 million) are included, the number swells to close to 8 million.
Were the perpetrators of the Holocaust punished?
The Nazis were tried in a international court after World War two. Some were sentenced to prisons, some escaped, some became scientists in other countries, some were hung, and some Nazis escaped trial. You will be able to read about the Nuremberg Trials.
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I take it that by Nazis you mean Nazi war criminals, not ordinary Party members.
The vast majority of Nazi war criminals were never tried or punished and 'lived happily ever after'.
The worldwide Jewish population is 13.3 million Jews. Jewish population growth worldwide is close to zero percent. From 2000 to 2001 it rose 0.3%, compared to worldwide population growth of 1.4%. In 2001, 8.3 million Jews lived in the Diaspora and 4.9 million lived in Israel. Just about half of the world's Jews reside in the Americas, with about 46 percent in North America. Approximately 37% of worldwide Jewry lives in Israel. Israel's Jewish population rose by 1.6% the past year, while the Diaspora population dropped by 0.5%. Europe, including the Asian territories of the Russian Republic and Turkey, accounts for about 12 percent of the total. Fewer than 2 percent of the world's Jews live in Africa and Oceania. Metropolitan Tel Aviv, with 2.5 million Jews, is the world's largest Jewish city. It is followed by New York, with 1.9 million, Haifa 655,000, Los Angeles 621,000, Jerusalem 570,000, and southeast Florida 514,000. In 2001, 8 countries had a Jewish population of 100,000 or more; another 5 countries had 50,000 or more. There is not a single Diaspora country where Jews amounted to 2.5 percent of the total population. Only 3 Diaspora countries had more than 1 percent. Gibraltar (24.0 per 1000), United States (20.1), Canada (11.9), France (8.8), Uruguay (6.7), Argentina (5.3), Hungary (5.2), and Australia (5.1) had the highest ratios.
Who belonged to the ''Master Race'' in the Nazis?
What was it like when Hitler first came to power?
Many Germans were very enthusiastic about their new Fuhrer, and neither Germany nor the rest of the world really knew what catastrophes would result from this new leader, although some people were quite nervous.
Why was hitler hating the jews when he is a jew?
He was not half-Jewish. This is one of those myths that refuses to die. There is no credible evidence that Hitler was (pick one) half Jewish, raised by Jews, or had a Jewish father. On the other hand, there is a lot of evidence that Hitler was a bigoted man who unfairly blamed Jews for Germany's problems, and it had nothing whatsoever to do with any alleged family connections.
What happened if Jews did not follow the Nuremberg laws?
They were killed. Usually by digging their own graves in public, then shot (execution style.) Most of the times, more often than usual since many other Jewish people met their end's this way as well, were sent to either death, labor, or concentration camps.
How did Germany come under Nazi rule?
In 1918 German wanted peace from the "Great war" so an armistace was declaired on 11th November. In 1919 the Treaty of Versailles was signed by all major powers, including Germany. But this was by no means fair, it reduced the standing army of the Germans to 100,000, destoryed the Air force and depleated the Naval forces to 15,000 men with no submarines, 6 battleships, 6 cruisers and 12 destroyers. Germany lost its colonial empire, and alot of land from the pre 1914 boarders. This was felt by some to be very harsh. And Germany was "stabed in the back". So the government set up called the "Weimar republic" was weak, from infilration from comunists, fasists, and other radicals due to their voting methods, If a party got 15% of the vote they got 15% of the seats. By 1929 Germany was on the brink of civil war. Hitler tried to copy the Italians by having a "march on berlin" from Munich. This failed and Hitler was arrested. But in 1933 Hitler and the Nazi party was the majority party in the Weimar. They passed laws that banned other political parties so Germany finally collapsed from a republic to a Nazi dictorial rule.
What other groups of people were also gassed at Auschwitz?
The sole purpose of the extermination camps was to kill Jews and gypsies, usually by gassing, except for a small number who were selected to help with the extermination process itself. At these camps nearly all new arrivals were gassed as soon as practical:
- Belzec
- Chelmno
- Sobibor
- Treblinka II
There are very few survivors from these camps (two each from Belzec and Chelmno, about 50 from Sobibor and about 40 from Trelinka II).
The Auschwitz group of camps was different. It had a gassing centre (part of Aischwitz II aka Birkenau) and was also a vast group of concentration camps (forced labour camps). Physically fit new arrivals were sent to the concentration camps, where most of them were worked to death on grossly inadequate rations.
Majdanek was the only other camp that combined both functions.
Why do Kristallnacht mean night of broken glass?
In German it means " Night of the broken glass" - a reference to the smashed windows of Jewish-owned shops.
In the context of the pogrom of 9-10 November 1938 Kristallrefers to the broken glass resulting from the deliberate destruction of Jewish businesses, especially shops. Like most shops, many of these had high quality lead crystal glass windows (shop fronts). In German Nacht mean night, and so Kristallnacht is generally translated into English as the night of the broken glass.
