This document provides an overview of the Holocaust in 3 main paragraphs: The Holocaust began in 1933 as Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany and sought to create a master race by systematically exterminating Jews and other groups. Propaganda was used to spread antisemitism and blame Jews for Germany's problems. Jews were forced into overcrowded ghettos and concentration camps where many died from disease, starvation or hard labor. Eventually millions of Jews were transported to death camps and killed in gas chambers or mass shootings. By the end, around 6 million Jewish people had been murdered before Allied forces liberated the remaining camps. The Holocaust demonstrated how words can incite genocide and the importance of speaking out against hatred and injustice

1. A multimedia project for 8th-12th graders by:Naomi Vasquez-MontesThe Holocaust

2. The Holocaust- What was it?

3. The HolocaustHow did it start? Let’s hear from one survivor:http://www.hopesite.ca/sympo/words.html

4. The HolocaustThe Holocaust was a period of time when six million Jews were systematically exterminated. They were not exterminated because of anything they had done, but because they became scapegoats for the German nation. Words began the propaganda that changed the lives of millions. It all started with words.

5. A Jewish Family Before the HolocaustPicture taken at the San Antonio Holocaust Memorial Museum

6. The Beginning of the Holocaust The Holocaust began during World War II (1933) when Adolf Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany. He wanted to create a master race, and he wanted to get rid of anyone who did not fit his criteria.

7. A Master RaceGenocide- The systematic and planned extermination ofan entire national, racial, political, or ethnic group (American Heritage Dictionary).

8. The Beginning of the HolocaustHitler, a great orator, had many loyal followers whoreadily joined the Nazi party to support his cause. Hereis a video clip of Hitler making a speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbduo4fHANAUsing words, not facts or data, Hitler convinced the Germans that the Jews were to blame for the deteriorating government, high unemployment rate, and general economic instability.

9. PropagandaA weekly Nazi newspaper DerStürmer (The Attacker) helped to spread the message against the Jews. The propaganda showed the Nazi party as brave defenders of Germany.Jews were depicted as having large noses and being cheap, cruel, evil and cowardly.

10. Words turned to actionGhettos were established as areas to isolate and contain Jews. Ghettos lacked food, water, and enough space for the millions of Jews forced to move there. The conditions were unsanitary. Many people died in the ghettos.http://www.hopesite.ca/sympo/witness/judy/ghetto_2.htmlstateoftheart.popphoto.com

11. Quotes from actual survivorsPicture taken at the San Antonio Holocaust Memorial Museum

12. Then, it got worse. Nazis were able to use the crowded conditions in the ghettos as an excuse to move Jews to Concentration Camps.Initially, the Jews did not know that they were being moved to “death camps”.

13. MarchesJews were rounded up from towns and forced to march to huge pits that had been dug previously by other Jews.They were forced to remove their clothing and then shot. Their bodies were buried in mass graves.It is estimated that 1.3 million Jews were killed in this manner.

14. Concentration CampsConcentration camps were located near railways so that Jews could easily be transported. Jews were taken to work camps and forced to do hard labor from dawn to dusk with little food or water.Other Jews were put into gas chambers and killed. Their bodies were then burned in crematoria, large ovens. Pregnant women, the elderly, and children were sent immediately to gas chambers because they could not work.

15. The Children

16. More quotes from survivorsPictures taken at the San Antonio Holocaust Memorial Museum

17. Virtual Tour of a Concentration Camphttp://en.auschwitz.org.pl/z/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6&Itemid=8

18. The Concentration Camp ExperienceHeads were shaved, even womenForced to remove clothing and shower with many other peopleIdentified by a badge as being Jewish, gypsy, homosexual, and other identifiers Little food or waterA bucket was shared by many to be used as a toiletA number was tattooed on the forearmThe smell of burning bodies was always in the air

19. The BadgesPicture taken at the San Antonio Holocaust Memorial Museum

20. Death MarchesAs the war came to a close, those who remained alive in concentration camps were forced to walk hundreds of miles. Many died or were shot along the way.About 250,000 Jews died during death marches.

21. Death MarchesPicture taken at the San Antonio Holocaust Memorial Museum

22. LiberationThe Jews were rescued from the concentration camps gradually by the Allied forces. Although they were free, the Jews were displaced.They had no homes to go to and many were still separated from their families. Many still feared for their lives and chose to move to other countries, such as Palestine, Israel, the U.S., and South America to rebuild their lives.

23. Going Homehttp://www.hopesite.ca/sympo/witness/david/going_home_15.htmlhttp://www.hopesite.ca/sympo/witness/judy/liberated_12.html

24. AfterPictures taken at the San Antonio Holocaust Memorial Museum

25. Did anyone try to help?There were many heroes during the Holocaust.They helped smuggle Jews to safer areas. Everything had to be done secretly or the rescuers faced persecution for helping the Jews.

26. Two HeroesPictures taken at the San Antonio Holocaust Memorial Museum

27. Quote: Many Nazi soldiers eventually faced trials for war crimes. Although they tried to use the defense that they were following orders, many Nazis were convicted of committing these horrific crimes. These trials have continued through the 21st century.Crime and PunishmentPictures taken at the San Antonio Holocaust Memorial Museum

28. Now that you know, what will you do?It all started with words. The words we use can affect others in ways we never imagined. We can use our words to help others or to harm them. What could have happened if people of the world would have protested against the treatment of the Jews? Could anything have changed? Silence can be deadly.

29. Select one of the Following Topics to Research:The Nazi PartyAdolf HitlerPropagandaGhettosConcentration CampsDeath MarchesResistance/ HeroesRescue and Liberation of the JewsWar crime trialsYour Turn

30. Sources: Holocaust Memorial Center: http://www.holocaustcenter.orgSurvivors’ Video Clipshttp://www.hopesite.ca/toc.htmlSan Antonio Holocaust Museum