Jewish life under Nazi rule 1933–39

Develop knowledge and understanding

To deepen your knowledge and challenge common misunderstandings, you will learn: l That during the 1930s the Nazis wanted to exclude German Jews from society. l How the Nazis used propaganda, violence and anti-Jewish laws to make life extremely difficult for Jews in Germany. l That the mass murder of Jews did not occur before 1939. l About the impact that persecution had on Jews in Germany. l How the geographic expansion of Nazi Germany affected Jewish people. l How Jewish people responded to discrimination. l About key historical events, such as the Anschluss and Kristallnacht. l The challenges faced by Jewish people trying to leave Germany in the 1930s.

Think historically

Change and continuity

Consider what happened to Jews living in Germany during the 1930s. Draw a timeline which begins in 1933, with Hitler being appointed leader of Germany, and ends in 1939 with the outbreak of the Second World War. Leave space to extend your timeline. Mark on your timeline key events in the persecution of Jews in Germany. When you think your timeline is complete, use it to answer the following questions: l How did life for Jewish people change between 1933 and 1939? l What aspects stayed the same?

Discuss

l Why did Nazi Germany become increasingly antisemitic? Was this just because the Nazis were in government, or were ‘ordinary’

Germans also responsible? l How should we respond when a minority group has its freedoms and rights taken away?

The BIG question: How and why did the Holocaust happen?

Look back at the notes you have previously written. As you are studying Unit 3, what new information, ideas or understanding do you have about this big question?