Historical Events of The Holocaust
Uploaded by spootyhead on Apr 18, 2007
Historical Events of The Holocaust
All throughout history, the Jewish people have been unjustly persecuted. Anti-Semitism has existed as long as the Jewish people have. Even in ancient times, the Jews were persecuted mainly because of their religious beliefs. Jews claim that they are God’s “Chosen People” and this has led to misunderstanding between Jews and Gentiles (non-Jewish people). Some gentiles believe that this claim meant Jews felt they were better than other people, thus fostering hatred. Others were wary of the Jews because of their preservation of their religious customs and traditions. Although this was vital to the survival of the Jewish faith, some people saw it as a threat to their own culture, and deemed Jews as dangerous. Jealously of successful Jews also contributed to the growing hatred towards Jews.
It was Germany’s humiliating defeat in World War I that allowed Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party to gain control of Germany, thus beginning the Holocaust. Germany was completed devastated, both morally and economically, as a country. The Treaty of Versailles further humbled the German people – Germany was forced to disarm and pay huge reparations to Britain and France to cover the cost of the war. The German people were lost and angry, and this allowed Hitler to manipulate the masses. Hitler chose the Jewish people as his scapegoat, and all the problems Germany was experiencing was blamed on the Jews.
Once Hitler gained control of Germany, the Nazi Party quickly changed Germany’s political, social, and economic structure. Germany essentially became a police state, and began creating and enforcing laws that persecuted the Jewish people. All Jewish people had to go and register at a local office. They later had to wear a badge with the Star of David on it, or else they were arrested. Laws were passed that banned people from shopping in Jewish-owned shops. Curfews were imposed on the Jewish people and they were not allowed outside after 9pm, which conflicted with their religious practices. Children were not allowed to go to school, and later, Jews were forced to live in ghettos, designated sectors of cities where Jews were confined.
However, this could not prepare the Jewish people of what was to come. Concentration camps were established throughout Europe where Jews tortured...