Procedures

• Step 1.

  Assign background reading on the end of the World War I era and key components of the Treaty of Versailles that led to Hitler's rise to power and World War II.

• Step 2.

  Watch the following video clip and as a class complete the bell ringer questions and discuss early developments of concentration camps in Germany, Nazi ideologies, and Hitler's 'Final Solution.'

  Video Clip Reasons for the Holocaust (5:25)

  Peter Hayes, author of the book "Why?: Explaining the Holocaust" emphasizes the importance of events that preceded the Holocaust and offers insight into why the genocide occurred.

  • What does Hayes identify as the different ideologies that have led to the persecution of Jews throughout history?
  • Analyze the historical evolution of negative and antisemitic views as outlined in the video.
  • According to Hayes what brought about modern Antisemitism?
  • Discuss how being systematically excluded from the benefits of society drives people to prescribe to racist and antisemitic ideologies.

• Step 3.

  Watch the following video clips and complete the discussion points below

  Video Clip Footage from the Penig Concentration Camp

  Video Clip The Holocaust: A Survivor's Story (10:18)

  • Discuss what Silbiger means by "different types of genocide" and the historical examples she gives
  • Analyze Hitler's Third Reich Regime and its institution into German society
  • Identify the events Silbiger accounts and how this corresponds with the implementation of Hitler's 'Final Solution'