Unit 2
Nazi Germany 1933–39
2.3 Who did the Nazis see as enemies and how did they treat them? Many different groups of people were targeted by the Nazis, but not always in the same way or for the same reasons. A very disturbing element of the Nazi worldview was the idea that some people (‘races’) were ‘superior’ to others. They incorrectly believed that science
could identify ‘pure blooded’ Germans who were part of a ‘master’ or ‘Aryan race’. The Nazis often persecuted, terrorised and even murdered those who were not regarded as part of the ‘Aryan race’ and the ‘People’s Community’ (Volksgemeinschaft).
Activity Enemies and threats On these pages you will read short biographies of some of the victims. These will help you understand how and why the Nazis attacked particular groups. Read the accounts carefully and complete a table like the one started below. Who? Helga Gross
Why were they seen as a threat to the Nazis? Helga was a child with a hearing impairment. The Nazis believed that those with physical disabilities weakened Germany.
How were they persecuted? Helga was sterilised to prevent her from having children.
Which biography? B
Biography A: The Kusserow family Franz and Hilda Kusserow and their eleven children were Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Nazis targeted Jehovah’s Witnesses because they would not swear loyalty to Hitler. Two of the family’s older sons were executed for refusing to serve in the army. The third son died after his release from the camps because of the terrible treatment he received. The three youngest children were put in Nazi-controlled foster homes for over six years. Other family members remained in concentration camps until the end of the war. Around 6,000
Jehovah’s Witnesses from Greater Germany were held in prisons or concentration camps and around 1,400 died there. In addition, approximately 250 were executed for refusing to fight in the war.
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9781510480377 KS3 Understanding the Holocaust.indb 30
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