What is the Holocaust?
Before we go further into the Holocaust history, you should know this: What is the Holocaust? The word Holocaust is broken up into two Greek words: holos meaning whole and kaustos meaning burning, words first used for a sacrifice. However, the meaning of these words changed because the Holocaust was a historical event between 1933 and 1945, during World War 2, when 6,000,000 Jews were killed by the Nazis and their helpers. The Jews killing was systematically and cruelly murdered, when it came to the point where the Nazis were laughing and eating cake while planning this. The Jews that were killed died in multiple ways, such as being burned alive, shot, or a slow death with little food and poor conditions.
Politics and Government
After World War 1, Germany was humiliated by the Versailles Treaty because it demanded Germany to know their guilt of causing the war. It also prevented Germany from getting a too powerful army by reducing their forces, etc. In addition, Germany changed their government into a republic, but later many bad things began to happen. There was economic instability, and massive inflation with many unemployed people worsened and undermined the government. Germany's "one dollar bill" couldn't buy a loaf of bread, and not even a few stacks could compare to the price of it. So, many people in Germany got angry and wanted to blame someone for the troubles.
A man named Adolph Hitler and the Nazis took advantage of the unrest and gained power. As said, people in Germany wanted to blame someone for their troubles. So, Hitler and the Nazis blamed the Jews for the problems. The Jews were their scapegoat, or an individual or group unfairly blamed for problems not of their making. Even worse, the Nazis made propaganda, or lies, to make the Jews look bad. For example, they said that the Jews had very ugly features, with a certain eye color, hair, etc. This was truly false and it is hard to believe that people would believe this because Jews worshiped Judaism, which was just a religion. People could be Asian, white, black, or any other race and still be Jewish.
A man named Adolph Hitler and the Nazis took advantage of the unrest and gained power. As said, people in Germany wanted to blame someone for their troubles. So, Hitler and the Nazis blamed the Jews for the problems. The Jews were their scapegoat, or an individual or group unfairly blamed for problems not of their making. Even worse, the Nazis made propaganda, or lies, to make the Jews look bad. For example, they said that the Jews had very ugly features, with a certain eye color, hair, etc. This was truly false and it is hard to believe that people would believe this because Jews worshiped Judaism, which was just a religion. People could be Asian, white, black, or any other race and still be Jewish.
Before and after the Holocaust
Before the Holocaust was in full swing, the Jews were being abused and treated badly by getting beatings and such. In time, Jews' rights were taken away. The Jewish children could not go to school, and the Jewish adults were fired from their jobs for no apparent reason. Also, they became separated from society in a few ways. They had to wear the Star of David for non-Jewish people would know a Jew, "a horrible person," is here. They also had to live in their own communities. Many Jews wanted to leave illegally because no country wanted them, but they were stuck because the Germans took transportation sources away from them and locked them up in ghettos, or in communities with fences and officials guarding the entrance.
After the Holocaust, it was hard for the people involved, especially the Jews, to go back on their regular way of life. Most of the Jews' homes were destroyed, family members were gone, and non-Jewish neighbors rejected the Jews. So, many Jews became refugees, and their allies decided to punish the German leaders with trials that were more extreme. Also, the displacement of the Jews lead to their allies to create Israel. On the German side, it was hard for them to go back to normal as well. The German government had to provide for the Jews to recognize the damage they caused. The Holocaust had a lasting blow because Holocaust survivors were never the same, even up to today.
After the Holocaust, it was hard for the people involved, especially the Jews, to go back on their regular way of life. Most of the Jews' homes were destroyed, family members were gone, and non-Jewish neighbors rejected the Jews. So, many Jews became refugees, and their allies decided to punish the German leaders with trials that were more extreme. Also, the displacement of the Jews lead to their allies to create Israel. On the German side, it was hard for them to go back to normal as well. The German government had to provide for the Jews to recognize the damage they caused. The Holocaust had a lasting blow because Holocaust survivors were never the same, even up to today.
Persecution In History
In history there have been several instances where one people have been persecuted by another. It happened when African Americans fought for equal rights, when women fought to vote, and it still happens today. Men and Women fight for Gay Marriage and Rights and many are persecuted or disowned because of their nature. Persecution is an ancient behavior as no matter what time period in civilization it is, one group of people has always been oppressed. Sometimes it could all be started by one hateful grudge, or it could be started as one people take the fall, or become scapegoats for others problems. There have been many to defend, and stand up for those in need of help, as intolerance and persecution can quickly turn into abuse, violence, and untamed evil. But they can never help soon enough or work harder to end this black mark on humanity's record.
Famous Jews
The Holocaust affected millions of people, including some who devoted their lives to their own missions. For example, Simon Wiesenthal was among many who were affected by this historical event. Most of his relatives died, and after the Holocaust, he was a very adept architect. However, instead of forgetting about this and continuing on with a normal life, he used his life to avenge those who were hurt. He did this by hunting and bring to trial Nazi war criminals such as the infamous Dr. Joseph Mengele, and he brought nearly 1,100 Nazi war criminals, received many awards, and even got a honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth the Second.
At one point of his life, his host asked why Simon Wiesenthal didn't become a house builder. Wiesenthal replied, " You're a religious man. You believe in God and life after death. I also believe. When we come to the other world and meet the millions of Jews who died in the camps, and they ask us, "What have you done," there will be many answers. One will say, 'I became a jeweler.' Another will say, 'I have smuggled coffee and American cigarettes.' Another will say, 'I built houses.' But I will say, 'I did not forget you.'"
Elie Wiesel became an author after the Holocaust to spread and tell others of his tale. His book Night is still read today and is in fact studied by schools everywhere as he tells his story about how it was like to be one of the millions of the oppressed. He lost most of his family as others did and made telling his story a career. He said, "If in my lifetime I was to write only one book, this would be the one." The Holocaust was something to remember about the cruelty and evil of humans. But also the resolve and strength of our race.
At one point of his life, his host asked why Simon Wiesenthal didn't become a house builder. Wiesenthal replied, " You're a religious man. You believe in God and life after death. I also believe. When we come to the other world and meet the millions of Jews who died in the camps, and they ask us, "What have you done," there will be many answers. One will say, 'I became a jeweler.' Another will say, 'I have smuggled coffee and American cigarettes.' Another will say, 'I built houses.' But I will say, 'I did not forget you.'"
Elie Wiesel became an author after the Holocaust to spread and tell others of his tale. His book Night is still read today and is in fact studied by schools everywhere as he tells his story about how it was like to be one of the millions of the oppressed. He lost most of his family as others did and made telling his story a career. He said, "If in my lifetime I was to write only one book, this would be the one." The Holocaust was something to remember about the cruelty and evil of humans. But also the resolve and strength of our race.