The Holocaust was a horrific event in human history, and understanding its complexities requires familiarity with specific terms and concepts. This guide provides educators with definitions and context to aid in teaching this sensitive subject.
Allies: During World War II, the Allied powers included the United States, Britain, the Soviet Union, and the Free French, united in their fight against Nazi Germany and the Axis powers. Their collective efforts were crucial in defeating the Nazi regime and liberating those under its oppression.
Bund: The Bund, or the Jewish Socialist Party, founded in 1897, championed equal rights for the Jewish population. This group was active in the underground resistance during World War II, and some of its members participated in Judenrat councils and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
Bystander: A bystander is someone present at an event who does not participate. Understanding the role of bystanders during the Holocaust is crucial, as their actions (or lack thereof) significantly impacted the unfolding events. Exploring the motivations and consequences of bystander behavior encourages critical thinking about responsibility and moral courage.
Collaboration: Collaboration refers to the cooperation between citizens of a country and its occupiers. Examining instances of collaboration during the Holocaust is essential to understanding the complex dynamics of power, resistance, and survival in occupied territories.
Contra fact: A musical technique involving the creation of new lyrics for existing melodies. This was common during the Holocaust due to lyrics being written quicker than music could be composed.
Degenerate art (Entartete Kunst): Art that did not conform to Nazi ideals. The Nazis suppressed artistic expression they deemed “degenerate,” showcasing their intolerance and control over culture. Understanding this concept allows for discussions about artistic freedom and the suppression of dissenting voices under totalitarian regimes.
Gestapo: The Gestapo, an acronym for Geheime Staatspolizei (Secret State Police), used brutal methods to suppress resistance to Nazi rule within Germany. Their operations expanded into Nazi-occupied Europe after 1939, making them a central instrument of terror and oppression.
Ghettos: The Nazis revived the term “ghetto” to describe compulsory “Jewish Quarters” designed to concentrate and control Jewish populations. Established in poor sections of cities, primarily in Eastern Europe (e.g., Lodz, Warsaw, Vilna, Riga, or Minsk), ghettos were characterized by overcrowding, malnutrition, and heavy labor. Eventually, all ghettos were dissolved, and their inhabitants were murdered. Understanding the conditions within the ghettos highlights the systematic dehumanization and persecution of Jews.
Guerrilla warfare: Guerrilla warfare involves small, independent groups using surprise raids and attacks to harass an enemy. This type of warfare was employed by resistance movements throughout Nazi-occupied Europe.
Jehovah’s Witnesses: A religious sect originating in the United States. Their refusal to swear allegiance to any worldly power made them enemies of the Nazi state.
Korczak, Dr. Janusz (1878-1942): An educator, author, physician, and director of a Jewish orphanage in Warsaw. Korczak’s unwavering commitment to his orphans, even in the face of death, exemplifies moral courage and selflessness. He refused offers of personal freedom, choosing instead to accompany his orphans to the gas chamber in Treblinka.
Partisans: Irregular forces employing guerrilla tactics in enemy-occupied territory. During the Holocaust, partisans risked their lives to assist Jews and others persecuted by the Nazis.
Righteous Gentiles: Non-Jewish individuals who risked their lives to save Jewish people from Nazi persecution. Yad Vashem in Jerusalem commemorates their courage with a field of trees planted in their honor.
SD (Sicherheitsdienst): The SS security and intelligence service, established in 1931 under Reinhard Heydrich.
Hannah Sennesh: A Palestinian Jew of Hungarian descent who fought as a partisan against the Nazis. She was captured and assassinated in Budapest.
SS (Schutzstaffel): Originally formed as Hitler’s personal guard, the SS, under Himmler, became the most powerful affiliated organization of the Nazi party. By mid-1934, they controlled the police and security systems, forming the basis of the Nazi police state and the major instrument of racial terror in the concentration camps and occupied Europe.
Star of David: A six-pointed star, a symbol of Judaism. During the Holocaust, Jews were forced to wear Stars of David on their clothing as a means of identification and segregation.
Underground: Organized groups acting in secrecy to oppose the government or resist occupying enemy forces during wartime.
Raoul Wallenberg: A Swedish diplomat who deliberately stationed himself in Hungary to save Hungarian Jews from death.
Warsaw ghetto: Established in November 1940, the Warsaw ghetto was surrounded by a wall and contained nearly 500,000 Jews. Overcrowding, hard labor, lack of sanitation, insufficient food, starvation, and disease led to approximately 45,000 deaths in 1941 alone. In 1942, most residents were deported to Treblinka. A revolt occurred in April 1943 when the Germans attempted to raze the ghetto and deport the remaining inhabitants. The defense forces, led by Mordecai Anielewicz, included all Jewish political parties. The fighting lasted twenty-eight days and ended with the ghetto’s destruction.
Understanding these terms and concepts is vital for educators to provide accurate and meaningful instruction about the Holocaust. By engaging with this terminology, students can develop a deeper understanding of the events, the people involved, and the lasting impact of this tragedy.
