The Concise Yet Detailed Guide to Holocaust Education

By David Weiss

If you "don't even know where to start" then where do you start? This book is being used by teachers and students all over the world for basic Holocaust Education. But it also contains details, links and suggestions that seasoned students of this topic will greatly appreciate.

This is the Teachers' Edition but we also have a Student Edition. This version includes the questions and answers as well as additional insight.

In addition to being an author of 7 Holocaust-related books, I am also a teacher and the Grandson of 4 Holocaust Survivors. I have been involved in Holocaust Education since 2014 and speak to groups of people in-person and online to further the cause of Holocaust Commemoration. Teachers and students have found this Education Guide to be easy-to-use and it provides everything you need understand the basics and important details about the Holocaust. Never Forget.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Holocaust Legacy Books
• Release date: Dec 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215385647

Book preview

Free to All WI Educators

The Concise Yet Detailed Guide to Holocaust Education:

Background Knowledge & Ready to Use Material

Wisconsin Teachers’ Edition

Your Mind and Your Education are the Only Things No One Can Take from You. Everything Else Can be Gone in a Second.

—Jack Grinbaum (My Grandfather, Holocaust Survivor)

Table of Contents

Chapters—Historic European Anti-Semitism—End of World War I—Versailles Treaty—Hitler’s Rise—Nuremberg Laws and Kristallnacht—Anschluss in Austria—Invasion of Czechoslovakia—The Invasion of Poland and the Start of the War—Ghettos—Concentration Camps—Death Camps—Liberation—Displaced Persons Camps—Zionism—Zionism Continuing...Leaving Europe—Nuremberg Trials—Holocaust Commemoration—International Holocaust Remembrance Day—Yom HaShoah—Present Day Anti-Semitism.

FAQ—Higher Level and Open-Ended Questions—Answers to the Questions—

Nations—Albania—Austria—Belarus—Belgium—Bulgaria—Croatia—Czech (Bohemia and Moravia)—Denmark—Estonia—Finland—France—Greece —Hungary—Italy—Latvia—Lithuania—Luxembourg—Netherlands—Norway—Poland—Romania—Serbia—Slovakia—Slovenia—Sweden—Ukraine—

Holocaust Resources and Websites  —-Recommended Books—Recommended Movies & Documentaries—Recommended Youtube Channels and Videos—Recommended Lesson Plan Resources

Blogs—The Capture and Trial of Adolf Eichmann—The World's Hero: Anne Frank—Elie Wiesel's Roadmap for Peace—The Olympics, Jesse Owens and the Munich Massacre

Why Study the Holocaust?—Teacher Only and Whole Class Sections

My Other Books

Wisconsin Teachers: Please see the original email for information about the author, the Grinbaum Shoah Legacy Project and www.HolocaustLegacyBooks.com

Chapters

Historic European Anti-Semitism

For many centuries anti-Semitic rules and laws were passed all over Europe. These laws prohibited Jews from living in certain areas, getting the same education as non-Jews, engaging in certain business activities and anything else that you can imagine. But starting in about 1800, many European nations began doing away with these unfair laws.

The termination of these laws enabled Jews throughout much of Europe to own land, work for the government, and serve as officers in their nations’ armed forces. Unfortunately, this made some others in Europe feel like they were being replaced or passed-by. When economic times got hard, the non-Jewish population blamed Jews for their personal misfortunate and for the misfortune of their country. 

Christians also began to feel that Jews were over-represented in areas such as banking, trade, industry, medicine, law, journalism, and theater. As Marxism and communism began to grow, those who opposed these forms of government began blaming Jews for their popularity. While some Jews believed in the ideas of Democratic Socialism (a democracy where there is a significant safety net so that nobody lives in poverty. Taxes are high in this system. Sweden is an example of a modern-day country with Democratic Socialism) very few Jews were true communists. Communism prohibits religion, so a Jewish community can never thrive in a communist setting.

Anti-Semitism continued to grow as political parties began finding out they could gain more popularity and votes by being outwardly anti-Semitic. There were loud and growing rumors of an International Jewish Conspiracy. A newspaper, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion first appeared in Russia in 1905 and was a hub for these hate-filled ideas. Their over-arching theme was that Jews secretly and privately controlled the world and only helped themselves. Hatred had a way of traveling quickly from the East of Russia all the way to the Atlantic.

Nationalist political parties began attacking Jews all over Europe in the mid-1800’s and into the early-to-mid 1900’s. These Nationalist political parties claimed to be fiercely loyal to their country and wanted to decide who was patriotic and who was not. They spewed great hatred toward Jews by claiming that Jews were international wanderers and were never loyal to any one country. Since this was not based on truth, Nationalists claimed that Jews ran the media which is why these truths were not yet known by everyone.

There were also a couple of traditional false stories that were passed along from generation to generation. Throughout Europe, many Christians were taught that Jews killed Christ.They also passed down the myth of Blood Libel. This was the false belief that Jews kidnap and kill Christian children to use their blood for ritual ceremonies. An incredibly high percentage of Christians in places such as Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Russia believed in this myth.

Various influential philosophers and politicians spread anti-Semitism. St. John Chrysostom, all the way back in the 300’s, was a critical influencer among anti-Semites. He accused Jews of being less than human. He wrote that the Jews sacrifice their children to Satan and openly told his followers that he hated the Jews. These views were repeated throughout the centuries and carried weight with many Christians. Many Europeans even blamed Jews for the spread of the Black Plague in the 1300s.

Main Summary Take-A-Ways

False accusations against Jews included Blood Libel and killing Jesus  

The International Jewish Conspiracy is a belief that Jews control the media, banks, and the international power structure.

Europe was a difficult place for Jews to receive equal treatment. Anti-Semitism was a strong force throughout Europe during the centuries before the Holocaust.

Questions and Answers

Many centuries ago, laws were made that discriminated against Jews. What were some ways that various governments made life difficult for Jews?

They didn’t allow Jews to own land, study at the same schools or work in certain professions.

What were some of the false accusations that non-Jews blamed Jews for?

Killing Christ and engaging in Blood Libel.

Describe the International Jewish Conspiracy.

The false concept that Jews secretly control the world’s economy and politics.

The first anti-Jewish newspaper, Protocols of the Elders of Zion first appeared in what year and in which country?

1905 in Russia

What is the myth of blood libel?

Jews kill Christian children and drink their blood at religious festivals.

End of World War I—Versailles Treaty

The Treaty of Versailles ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers (Britain, France, Italy, United States and Russia). The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28th, 1919, in Versailles, France. The other countries on the German side of World War I (Austrian-Hungarian Empire and Ottoman Empire) signed separate treaties. Oddly enough, an armistice was signed on November 11th, 1918, which already ended the fighting. The fact that it took six months to finalize the end of the war was a sign of how dysfunctional the situation was following this horribly brutal war.

The Treaty of Versailles was a compromise that accomplished nothing. Some people in England felt that it punished Germany too much and many in France felt that it did not punish Germany enough. The treaty forced Germany to take the blame for the war and to pay a significant financial price. The Treaty of Versailles also limited the size of Germany's military. Many Germans were left feeling demoralized and Hitler used this sentiment to grain traction for his early actions. During the 1920’s, when the Nazis were making their case, Hitler rallied the German people by blaming other countries and minorities with-in Germany for their struggles. The Nazis worked especially hard to place blame on the nation's relatively small Jewish population. These consistent, repeated cries in the state-controlled media claimed that Jews helped the opposition and were, in large part, responsible for the damaging post-war situation with-in Germany. Even though these claims were outright lies, the Nazis used press censorship, propaganda, and the imprisonment of political enemies to brainwash the general population.

Main Summary Take-a-Ways

The Versailles Treaty punished Germany for its actions in World War I.

Hitler used German resentment about The Versailles Treaty to stoke dangerous Nationalist sentiment.

The main purpose of Nazi propaganda was to place blame on the Jews.

Questions and Answers

1)  How did Hitler use the Versailles Treaty to help himself gain power?He claimed that Germany’s struggles were caused by England and France and could be stopped.

2)  Who were Germany’s partner nations in World War I? Which countries did they fight against?

Partners—Austrian-Hungarian Empire and Ottoman Empire. Opponents—England, France, United States, Italy and Russia.

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Hitler’s Rise

Adolf Hitler was born on April 20th, 1889, in the Austrian town of Braunau but was raised in Linz, Austria. Hitler wanted to be an artist but was not admitted to the academy in Vienna. He moved to Vienna anyways and worked his way into the art scene. Up until the time Hitler left for Vienna, he had almost no contact with Jewish people.

Hitler lived in Vienna from 1908 to 1913. He was encouraged to get involved with the civil service because he did not seem particularly talented in any field (including his artwork). Hitler inherited money after his mother died, but he quickly wasted it. Much of his time in Vienna was spent in poverty and stewing about why he was not as successful as he wanted to be.

Hitler moved to Munich, Germany in 1913 and enlisted in the army. He was considered to be a brave soldier and achieved the rank of Corporal. Hitler was wounded twice during World War I and spent time recovering in military hospitals.

It was after the war that Hitler began showing his passion for antisemitism as he became a regular on the far-right wing of German politics. It was in 1919 that Hitler issued his first official commentary about Jews. He stated that the ultimate goal of Germany must definitely be the removal of the Jews altogether. (1)

Hitler's political influences were the German politician Georg von Schönerer and Karl Lueger who was the Mayor of Vienna from 1897 to 1910 (2). Lueger was an especially renowned anti-Semite who spewed visceral hatred towards Jews.

Hitler’s ability to explain his vision attracted certain Germans. Those that were frustrated with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and the general economic struggles going on worldwide and in Germany found his message appealing. It satisfied their need to place blame elsewhere and to unite in anger.

In 1933 the rise of the Nazi Party and Hitler’s personal rise lead to him becoming the Chancellor of Germany. Hitler met with the German military leaders, declaring that his top priority was building up the capability of the country’s armed forces. In August of 1934, a new law stated that the powers of the presidency would merge with those of the Chancellor. From that day onward, Hitler would be known as The Führer. This also meant that Adolf Hitler was now completely in charge of the country and the military. He was a full dictator.

Hitler’s focus continued to be the build-up of the country’s military and raising level of anti-Semitic sentiment all over Germany. Hiring Joseph Goebbels to prioritize anti-Semitic propaganda showed Hitler’s true priorities. Goebbels portrayed Hitler as a godlike figure and convinced the German people to hate Jews as much as they revered Hitler. Hitler said, The broad mass of a nation will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one. The Nazis continued with this