Overview
If one thing stays in peoples minds regarding the Nazis, it is undoubtedly their brutal and terrifying treatment of those they did not agree with.
Over 6 million Jews were systematically killed in a thoroughly planned and evil way.
The Jews however are only one of a huge number of groups who suffered during the 12 years of Nazi rule. Political prisoners, Communists, Roma Gypsies, Homosexuals, Jehovahs Winesses Eastern Europeans even Disabled people all suffered and died in a way which would shock humanity.
The Nazis had many groups that did not fit into their ideal Germany and they set about to try and destroy them.
First came PERSECUTION... Then came GENOCIDE..
Over 6 million Jews were systematically killed in a thoroughly planned and evil way.
The Jews however are only one of a huge number of groups who suffered during the 12 years of Nazi rule. Political prisoners, Communists, Roma Gypsies, Homosexuals, Jehovahs Winesses Eastern Europeans even Disabled people all suffered and died in a way which would shock humanity.
The Nazis had many groups that did not fit into their ideal Germany and they set about to try and destroy them.
First came PERSECUTION... Then came GENOCIDE..
NAZI RACIAL BELIEFSAs we have seen, Hitler and the Nazis had extreme racial views.
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Even posters aimed at children showed an 'aryan' ideal with blonde hair and blue eyes
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WHO SUFFERED?
Although the Jews made up the vast bulk of persecution and death in the holocaust, they were not the only group that Hitler detested. His regime was built on HATE and a racial HIERARCHY with the Aryan race at the top and others below. Some Hitler believed should be SLAVES while others deserved to be wiped out entirely. Try to remember 3 groups below that Hitler did not like.
1) The Jews
Jewish people were the first to be picked on. Hitler had always made clear his ANTI SEMITISM (Hatred of the Jews) Many Germans shared his hatred and Prejudice.
2) The Disabled
Another highly disturbing part of Hitlers regime - and a largely ignored part was his EUTHANASIA programme designed to 'Purify' the German race of those seen as 'weak'
The Nazis released disturbing Propaganda showing disabled people as being a 'drain on German society' and as weakening the German race. They set about a programme of EUTHANASIA (MERCY KILLING) They killed mentally disabled children by lethal injections, starvation or special vans which could gas them. This programme was called Operation T4 and mercifully it was stopped after opposition from the Catholic church. 
Nazi poster describing the cost of looking after the mentally ill
3) Political Opponents
One of the first groups to be targeted. Hitler was determined to gain total control in 1933 and any opposition was swiftly dealt with. Communists, Social Democrats and even preachers who opposed him were rounded up and put in concentration camps
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4. Homosexuals
Homosexuality was regarded by the Nazis as weak and genetic. They aimed to purify Germany of Homosexuals. Homosexuals were made to wear a Pink triangle in the same way Jews were made to wear Yellow stars
5. Gypsies
Romany Gypsies were a distinct group in Europe and numbered about 2 million before the war. Hitler viewed them as 'subhuman' and set about firstly imprisoning them and then exterminating them. Over 1 million were killed in the war - Half their population.
6. Jehovah's Witnesses
This small religious group was targeted by the Nazis for persecution because of their beliefs. They were considered heretics and refused to obey Nazi bans on them meeting. Up to 10,000 were imprisoned in the war and an estimated 5,000 were killed.
7. Slavs (Eastern Europeans)
Hitler believed in Lebensraum - living space in the East. He believed this was land for Germans and those who lived on it were inferior. He regarded people of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe as Untermenschen and set about a programme of extermination. Millions of Soviet prisoners were captured by the Germans in the War - Over 2.8 million were estimated to have been killed. This is not to mention the organised killing of civilians in the lands the Germans occupied.
8. Others Get rid
of 'Asocials'
Countless others suffered too. Homeless people were lifted. Alcoholics were sterilised. Tramps and beggars were called 'Workshy' and ASOCIALS and were gradually rounded up and sterilised or imprisoned.
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We can divide the Nazi Persecution of the Jews into THREE distinct Stages. You must be able to know and understand these main stages of persecution from 1933-39.
RESTRICTIONSHitler knew he could not come in to office in 1933 and begin to kill those he did not like!
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PERSECUTIONAs Hitler's power became stronger, he began to use propaganda and terror to make things a lot more difficult for the Jews of Germany.
Laws were introduced which actively PERSECUTED them. Persecution means treating someone badly simply because of their differences. Life was made extremely difficult. 
FACT: During the BERLIN OLYMPIC GAMES in 1936, the persecution of the Jews was reduced as the Nazis did not want Germany to look bad.
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Jews being forbidden from entering university by SA men
A couple being denounced for having a Jewish / German relationship.
Jewish identity card with the J stamped on it
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KRISTALLNACHT onwardsIn 1938 an event called the Night of the Broken Glass or Kristallnacht, signalled the beginning of the final stage of anti-Semitic treatment for the Jews.
Life for the Jews became very harsh. Persecution was stepped up. Events like the Kristallnacht saw synagogues burnt and Jewish businesses and homes damaged and destroyed. Jews were increasingly being identified and rounded up. World war 2 gave the Nazis the opportunity to enact the Final Solution - the eradication of the Jews from Europe. Europe's Jews were first sent to Ghettoes across Eastern Europe and eventually to Concentration camps where many would die in the gas chambers. This was one of the most horrific events in human history and is known as the Holocaust. Over 6 million Jews were killed. 
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Jews increasingly identified by Yellow star
Smashed windows of Jewish shops Nov 1938
burning synagogue
German Jewish family forced to leave
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PERSECUTION TIMELINE 1933-39
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MOVIE SECTION |
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warning: this contains disturbing scenes |
MINDMAP OVERVIEW
ANTI SEMITIC PROPAGANDA
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USEFUL WEB LINKS
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TEST YOURSELF HERE |
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DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
power point presentations
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documents / handouts
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