World War 2 and the Holocaust

World War II was the largest war known to mankind. It was the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 70 to 85 million (7 to 8.5 crore) fatalities. The war took place in vast regions of the earth, more than any other war: in China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North and Central Africa, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Western Europe, the Pacific and Japan, as well as at sea - in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and in the Mediterranean Sea.
During this war, one of the most systematic genocides in the human history occurred called “the Holocaust”. Holocaust means killing in mass scale which can also be called genocide.

What is the Holocaust?

In 1933, the Jewish population of Europe stood at over nine million. Most European Jews lived in countries that Nazi Germany would occupy or influence during World War II. By 1945, the Nazis and their collaborators killed nearly two out of every three European Jews as part of the "Final Solution," under the Nazi policy to murder the Jews of Europe. Although Jews, whom the Nazis considered a priority danger to Germany, were the primary victims of Nazi racism, other victims included some 200,000 Roma (Gypsies). In addition, at least 200,000 mentally or physically disabled patients, mainly Germans, living in institutional settings, were murdered in the so-called Euthanasia Program.

1933:

• The Nazi party takes power in Germany. Adolf Hitler becomes chancellor, or prime minister of Germany – Nazis 'temporarily' suspend civil liberties.
• The Nazis set up the first concentration camp. The first inmates are 200 Communists. Books with ideas considered dangerous to Nazi beliefs are burned.

1934:

• Hitler combines the positions of chancellor and president to become 'Fuhrer' or leader of Germany.
• Jewish newspapers can no longer be sold in the streets.

1935:

• Jews are deprived of their citizenship and other basic rights.
• The Nazis intensify the persecution of political people that don’t agree with his philosophy

1936:

• Nazis boycott Jewish-owned business.
• The Olympic Games are held in Germany; signs barring Jews are removed until the event is over.
• Jews no longer have the right to vote.

1942:

• Nazi officials discuss the 'Final Solution' - their plan to kill all European Jews - to the government officials.
• More and more extermination camps are being open- where the European Jewish population is being murdered systematically.

1943:

• In February: About 80 to 85 percent of the Jews who would die in the Holocaust have already been murdered

1944:

• Hitler takes over Hungary and begins deporting 12,000 Hungarian Jews each day to extermination camps where they are murdered.

1945:

• Hitler is defeated and World War II ends in Europe
• The Holocaust is over and the death camps are emptied.
• Many survivors are placed in displaced persons facilities.

1946:

• An International Military Tribunal (Judicial Assembly) is created by Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union.
• At Nuremburg, Nazi leaders are tried for war crimes by the above Judicial Assembly

1947:

• he United Nations establishes a Jewish homeland, which became the State of Israel, in 1948.
• What is hate speech?
• Hate speech is any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that uses judgmental or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, gender or other identity factor. This is often rooted in and generates intolerance and hatred and can be demeaning and divisive.
• Hate speech is a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace. We all confront hate speech at some point. Silence can signal indifference to intolerance and the vulnerable become victims.
• Tackling hate speech is crucial to deepen progress by helping to prevent armed conflict, atrocity crimes and terrorism, end violence against women and other serious violations of human rights, and promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies.
• Unity in Diversity
• Unity in diversity is the defining characteristics of Nepali society. Mutual coexistence, tolerance and cooperation have guided the people in achieving social cohesion, peace and happiness. Diverse population is an asset, not a liability for the Nepali society.

Materials by UN in Nepal

1. Final presentation poster - users/file/2020/Final%20Presentation%20Poster%20-%20the%20Holocaust.pdf
2. Poster to display at school - users/file/2020/Display%20posters%20-%20the%20holocaust.pdf
3. Talking note - users/file/2020/Reading%20Materials%20for%20International%20Holocaust%20Remembrance%20Day.pdf
4. Movie #1 - Life in the Jewish ghetto
5. Movie #2 - The story of Anne Frank
6. All about the Holocaust prepared by UN Nepal (Presentation Poster, poster to display, talking points, vocabulary, Nepali context including movies): users/file/2020/The%20Holocaust%20Reading%20Materials.rar

Global Sites:

1. UN official site for the Holocaust Remembrance - https://www.un.org/en/holocaustremembrance/
2. The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme /Discussion Papers Journal /UN - https://www.un.org/en/holocaustremembrance/docs/pdf/dpj_I.pdf
3. Classroom materials /University College London - https://www.holocausteducation.org.uk/teacher-resources/materials/
4. Film series: https://www.un.org/en/holocaustremembrance/filmseries.shtml

Related Videos 

1. Life in Jewish ghetto

2. The story of Anne Frank