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HIS 10: Holocaust: Overview of the Genocide

Year 10 History

Hitler addressing the Reichstag in January 1939.

GENOCIDE ...combining the Greek word γένος (genos, "race, people") with the Latin suffix -caedo ("act of killing"). (Wikipedia)

The Power of the Dictatorship

  • Speeches
  • Threats
  • Removal of intelligent and knowledgeable
  • Control of economy and government
  • Theft of possessions and property
  • Closure of dissenting voices
  • New laws and restrictions
  • Limits to freedom and establishment of ghettos, camps, prisons
  • Forced compliance 
  • Industrial strength an advantage i.e. steel
  • Scientists and artists flee Germany after the Book burning.
  • Planned starvation, removal and extermination of the Jewish people
  • Murder of millions of people throughout Europe

 

Political conditions

  • Weimar Republic 1918 - 1933
  • End of Democracy when Hitler took power as Chancellor then names himself Fuhrer.
  • Hitler as Fuhrer: leader and Supreme Commander of Nazi party 
  • Third Reich 1933 'to last 1000 years' according to Hitler
  • New style of rule - National Socialist - NAZI
  • New structure of leadership
  • Acquisition of Jewish businesses, property, assets and  money
  • German advancement
  • Disaffected population after WWI
  • Nazi party had the support of the unemployed
  • Rise of German Nationalism
  • Germany allies with others 

 

Media control and communications

  • Radio  and print media control 
  • Book burning in public; removal of knowledge
  • Propaganda films spread lies quickly and easily - played in cinemas and newsreels
  • Symbols, signs, flags, badges, cars, uniforms
  • Events - grand scale demonstrations and public meetings
  • Grand scale speeches and messaging: podiums, flags, monuments, posters, signage and salutes - all indicative of power

Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda. Source: Wikipedia

 

 

Attitudes and psychology - Power through terror and intimidation

  • Leaders promoting hatred based on race and religion
  • Dehumanisation
  • Blame of economic woes on racial groups
  • 'Other'
  • Arian ideals and 'perfection' gives rise to white supremacists
  • Fear and distrust
  • Underground humanitarian work - secret dissent and resistance 
  • Demeaning and diminishing others
  • Jews labelled with the yellow star patch - makes them more visible and vulnerable.
  • Violence, shaming, bullying become accepted and normal
  • Disaffected gain power quickly as white supremacists
  • Aggression is commonplace

Foreign policy

  • Aggression and dominance
  • Invasion of nearby countries
  • German Industrial might 
  • Allied with Italy
  • Weapons manufacturing