The Holocaust

1. A Brief History ofA Brief History of
The HolocaustThe Holocaust
Information and images are from Information and images are from
the the
United States Holocaust Memorial United States Holocaust Memorial
MuseumMuseum

2. The Holocaust The Holocaust
  
During World War II, Nazi Germany and its collaborators During World War II, Nazi Germany and its collaborators
murdered approximately six million Jews. The Holocaust is the murdered approximately six million Jews. The Holocaust is the
name used to refer to this systematic, bureaucratic, and state-name used to refer to this systematic, bureaucratic, and state-
sponsored campaign of persecution and murder. Beginning with sponsored campaign of persecution and murder. Beginning with
racially discriminatory laws in Germany, the Nazi campaign racially discriminatory laws in Germany, the Nazi campaign
expanded to the mass murder of all European Jews expanded to the mass murder of all European Jews
During the era of the Holocaust, the Nazis also targeted other During the era of the Holocaust, the Nazis also targeted other
groups because of their perceived "racial inferiority": Roma groups because of their perceived "racial inferiority": Roma
(Gypsies), people with disabilities, Catholics, and some of the (Gypsies), people with disabilities, Catholics, and some of the
Slavic peoples (Poles, Russians, and others). Other groups were Slavic peoples (Poles, Russians, and others). Other groups were
persecuted on political and behavioral grounds, among them persecuted on political and behavioral grounds, among them
Communists, Socialists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and homosexuals.  Communists, Socialists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and homosexuals.  
  "Holocaust" is a word of Greek origin meaning "sacrifice by   "Holocaust" is a word of Greek origin meaning "sacrifice by
fire." The Nazis came to power in Germany in January 1933. The fire." The Nazis came to power in Germany in January 1933. The
Nazis frequently used euphemistic language to disguise the true Nazis frequently used euphemistic language to disguise the true
nature of their crimes. According to this vocabulary, Germans nature of their crimes. According to this vocabulary, Germans
were considered "racially superior" and the Jews, and others were considered "racially superior" and the Jews, and others
deemed "inferior," were "life unworthy of life."deemed "inferior," were "life unworthy of life."
  

3. Nazi Rule Nazi Rule
Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor
of Germany on January 30, 1933, of Germany on January 30, 1933,
bringing an end to German bringing an end to German
democracy. Guided by racist and democracy. Guided by racist and
authoritarian ideas, the Nazis authoritarian ideas, the Nazis
abolished basic freedoms and abolished basic freedoms and
sought to create a "Volk" sought to create a "Volk"
community. In theory, a "Volk" community. In theory, a "Volk"
community united all social classes community united all social classes
and regions of Germany behind and regions of Germany behind
Hitler. In reality, the Third Reich Hitler. In reality, the Third Reich
quickly became a police state, quickly became a police state,
where individuals were subject to where individuals were subject to
arbitrary arrest and imprisonment arbitrary arrest and imprisonment

Adolf Hitler, the leader of the
Nazi party

4. Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler
In the first months of his chancellorship, Hitler began a In the first months of his chancellorship, Hitler began a
concerted policy of "synchronization," forcing organizations, concerted policy of "synchronization," forcing organizations,
political parties, and state governments into line with Nazi goals political parties, and state governments into line with Nazi goals
and placing them under Nazi leadership. Culture, the economy, and placing them under Nazi leadership. Culture, the economy,
education, and law came under greater Nazi control. Trade education, and law came under greater Nazi control. Trade
unions were abolished and workers, employees, and employers unions were abolished and workers, employees, and employers
were forced into Nazi organizations. By mid-July 1933, the Nazi were forced into Nazi organizations. By mid-July 1933, the Nazi
party was the only political party permitted in Germany. The party was the only political party permitted in Germany. The
Reichstag (German parliament) became a rubber stamp for Reichstag (German parliament) became a rubber stamp for
Hitler's dictatorship. The Fuehrer's will became the foundation Hitler's dictatorship. The Fuehrer's will became the foundation
for government policy . Thus, Hitler created a dictatorship for government policy . Thus, Hitler created a dictatorship
within Germany.within Germany.

5. Nazi Racism Nazi Racism
For years before Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany, he was obsessed For years before Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany, he was obsessed
with ideas about race. In his speeches and writings, Hitler spread his beliefs in racial with ideas about race. In his speeches and writings, Hitler spread his beliefs in racial
"purity" and in the superiority of the "Germanic race" -- what he called an “Aryan" "purity" and in the superiority of the "Germanic race" -- what he called an “Aryan"
master race." He pronounced that his race must remain pure in order to one day master race." He pronounced that his race must remain pure in order to one day
take over the world. For Hitler, the ideal "Aryan" was blond, blue-eyed, and tall. take over the world. For Hitler, the ideal "Aryan" was blond, blue-eyed, and tall.
When Hitler and the Nazis came to power, these beliefs became the government When Hitler and the Nazis came to power, these beliefs became the government
ideology and were spread in publicly displayed posters, on the radio, in movies, in ideology and were spread in publicly displayed posters, on the radio, in movies, in
classrooms, and in newspapers. The Nazis began to put their ideology into practice classrooms, and in newspapers. The Nazis began to put their ideology into practice
with the support of German scientists who believed that the human race could be with the support of German scientists who believed that the human race could be
improved by limiting the reproduction of people considered "inferior." Beginning in improved by limiting the reproduction of people considered "inferior." Beginning in
1933, German physicians were allowed to perform forced sterilizations, operations 1933, German physicians were allowed to perform forced sterilizations, operations
making it impossible for the victims to have children. Among the targets of this making it impossible for the victims to have children. Among the targets of this
public program were Roma (Gypsies), an ethnic minority numbering about 30,000 in public program were Roma (Gypsies), an ethnic minority numbering about 30,000 in
Germany, and handicapped individuals, including the mentally ill and people born Germany, and handicapped individuals, including the mentally ill and people born
deaf and blind. Also victimized were about 500 African-German children, the deaf and blind. Also victimized were about 500 African-German children, the
offspring of German mothers and African colonial soldiers in the Allied armies that offspring of German mothers and African colonial soldiers in the Allied armies that
occupied the German Rhineland region after World War I.occupied the German Rhineland region after World War I.

6. Racism continuedRacism continued
Hitler and other Nazi leaders viewed the Hitler and other Nazi leaders viewed the
Jews not as a religious group, but as a Jews not as a religious group, but as a
poisonous "race," which "lived off" the other poisonous "race," which "lived off" the other
races and weakened them. After Hitler took races and weakened them. After Hitler took
power, Nazi teachers in school classrooms power, Nazi teachers in school classrooms
began to apply the "principles" of racial science. began to apply the "principles" of racial science.
They measured skull size and nose length, and They measured skull size and nose length, and
recorded the color of their pupils' hair and eyes recorded the color of their pupils' hair and eyes
to determine whether students belonged to the to determine whether students belonged to the
true "Aryan race." Jewish and Romani (Gypsy) true "Aryan race." Jewish and Romani (Gypsy)
students were often humiliated in the process.students were often humiliated in the process.

7. The Nazi Terror BeginsThe Nazi Terror Begins
After Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany in After Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany in
January 1933, he moved quickly to turn Germany into a January 1933, he moved quickly to turn Germany into a
one-party dictatorship and to organize the police power one-party dictatorship and to organize the police power
necessary to enforce Nazi policies. He persuaded his necessary to enforce Nazi policies. He persuaded his
Cabinet to declare a state of emergency and end Cabinet to declare a state of emergency and end
individual freedoms, including freedom of press, speech, individual freedoms, including freedom of press, speech,
and assembly. Individuals lost the right to privacy, which and assembly. Individuals lost the right to privacy, which
meant that officials could read people's mail, listen in on meant that officials could read people's mail, listen in on
telephone conversations, and search private homes telephone conversations, and search private homes
without a warrant. without a warrant.

8. Nazi PropagandaNazi Propaganda
Once they succeeded in ending democracy and Once they succeeded in ending democracy and
turning Germany into a one-party dictatorship, the Nazis turning Germany into a one-party dictatorship, the Nazis
orchestrated a massive propaganda campaign to win the orchestrated a massive propaganda campaign to win the
loyalty and cooperation of Germans. The Nazi loyalty and cooperation of Germans. The Nazi
Propaganda Ministry, directed by Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Propaganda Ministry, directed by Dr. Joseph Goebbels,
took control of all forms of communication in Germany: took control of all forms of communication in Germany:
newspapers, magazines, books, public meetings, and newspapers, magazines, books, public meetings, and
rallies, art, music, movies, and radio. Viewpoints in any rallies, art, music, movies, and radio. Viewpoints in any
way threatening to Nazi beliefs or to the regime were way threatening to Nazi beliefs or to the regime were
censored or eliminated from all media. censored or eliminated from all media.

9. Images of Anti-Semitic PropagandaImages of Anti-Semitic Propaganda
Anti-Semitic posters, Anti-Semitic posters,
handbills, and stickers handbills, and stickers
(including an election (including an election
leaflet.)leaflet.) United States United States
Holocaust Memorial Holocaust Memorial
Museum Museum
#10641/Institute of #10641/Institute of
Contemporary History Contemporary History
and Wiener Library and Wiener Library
LimitedLimited

10. The terror of HitlerThe terror of Hitler
Hitler also relied on terror to achieve his goals. Hitler also relied on terror to achieve his goals.
Lured by the wages, a feeling of brotherhood, Lured by the wages, a feeling of brotherhood,
and the striking uniforms, tens of thousands of and the striking uniforms, tens of thousands of
young jobless men put on the brown shirts and young jobless men put on the brown shirts and
high leather boots of the Nazi Storm Troopers high leather boots of the Nazi Storm Troopers
((SturmabteilungenSturmabteilungen). Called the SA, these auxiliary ). Called the SA, these auxiliary
policemen took to the streets to beat up and kill policemen took to the streets to beat up and kill
some opponents of the Nazi regime. Mere fear some opponents of the Nazi regime. Mere fear
of the SA pressured into silence other Germans of the SA pressured into silence other Germans
who did not support the Nazis. who did not support the Nazis.

11. Jews in Germany Pre-WarJews in Germany Pre-War
 When the Nazis came to power, the lives of German Jews changed When the Nazis came to power, the lives of German Jews changed
drastically. On April 1, 1933, the Nazis carried out the first nationwide, drastically. On April 1, 1933, the Nazis carried out the first nationwide,
planned action against them: a boycott of Jewish businesses. Nazi planned action against them: a boycott of Jewish businesses. Nazi
spokesmen claimed the boycott was an act of revenge against both spokesmen claimed the boycott was an act of revenge against both
German Jews and foreigners, including U.S. and English journalists, German Jews and foreigners, including U.S. and English journalists,
who had criticized the Nazi regime. On the day of the boycott, Storm who had criticized the Nazi regime. On the day of the boycott, Storm
Troopers stood menacingly in front of Jewish-owned shops. The six-Troopers stood menacingly in front of Jewish-owned shops. The six-
pointed “Star of David" was painted in yellow and black across pointed “Star of David" was painted in yellow and black across
thousands of doors and windows. Signs were posted saying "Don't Buy thousands of doors and windows. Signs were posted saying "Don't Buy
from Jews" and "The Jews Are Our Misfortune."from Jews" and "The Jews Are Our Misfortune."
The nationwide boycott was not very successful and lasted just a day, The nationwide boycott was not very successful and lasted just a day,
but it marked the beginning of a nationwide campaign by the Nazi but it marked the beginning of a nationwide campaign by the Nazi
party against the entire German Jewish population. A week later, the party against the entire German Jewish population. A week later, the
government passed a law restricting employment in the civil service to government passed a law restricting employment in the civil service to
“Aryans." Jewish government workers, including teachers in public “Aryans." Jewish government workers, including teachers in public
schools and universities were fired.schools and universities were fired.

12. SIGN EXCLUDES JEWS FROM PUBLIC PLACES SIGN EXCLUDES JEWS FROM PUBLIC PLACES
Signs excluding Jews, such as the sign shown here, were posted in Signs excluding Jews, such as the sign shown here, were posted in
public places (including parks, theaters, movie houses, and restaurants) public places (including parks, theaters, movie houses, and restaurants)
throughout Nazi Germany. This sign states in German: "Jews are not wanted throughout Nazi Germany. This sign states in German: "Jews are not wanted
here."here."

13. The Final SolutionThe Final Solution
The Nazis frequently used euphemistic language to disguise the true The Nazis frequently used euphemistic language to disguise the true
nature of their crimes. They used the term “Final Solution” to refer to nature of their crimes. They used the term “Final Solution” to refer to
their plan to annihilate the Jewish people. It is not known when the their plan to annihilate the Jewish people. It is not known when the
leaders of Nazi Germany definitively decided to implement the "Final leaders of Nazi Germany definitively decided to implement the "Final
Solution." The genocide or mass destruction of the Jews was the Solution." The genocide or mass destruction of the Jews was the
culmination of a decade of increasingly severe discriminatory measures. culmination of a decade of increasingly severe discriminatory measures.
..
In its entirety, the "Final Solution" called for the murder of all In its entirety, the "Final Solution" called for the murder of all
European Jews by gassing, shooting, and other means. Approximately European Jews by gassing, shooting, and other means. Approximately
six million Jewish men, women, and children were killed during the six million Jewish men, women, and children were killed during the
Holocaust -- two-thirds of the Jews living in Europe before World War Holocaust -- two-thirds of the Jews living in Europe before World War
II. II.

14. AuschwitzAuschwitz

Auschwitz was the largest camp established by the Germans. It was a Auschwitz was the largest camp established by the Germans. It was a
complex of camps, including a concentration, extermination, and forced-labor complex of camps, including a concentration, extermination, and forced-labor
camp. It was located near Cracow (Krakow), Poland. Three large camps camp. It was located near Cracow (Krakow), Poland. Three large camps
constituted the Auschwitz camp complex: Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II constituted the Auschwitz camp complex: Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II
(Birkenau), and Auschwitz III (Monowitz). More than one million people lost (Birkenau), and Auschwitz III (Monowitz). More than one million people lost
their lives at Auschwitz, nine out of ten of them Jewish. The four largest gas their lives at Auschwitz, nine out of ten of them Jewish. The four largest gas
chambers could each hold 2,000 people at one time.chambers could each hold 2,000 people at one time.
A sign over the entrance to the camp read ARBEIT MACHT FREI, which A sign over the entrance to the camp read ARBEIT MACHT FREI, which
means "work makes one free." In actuality, the opposite was true. Labor means "work makes one free." In actuality, the opposite was true. Labor
became another form of genocide that the Nazis called "extermination became another form of genocide that the Nazis called "extermination
through work."through work."
Victims who were spared immediate death by being selected for labor were Victims who were spared immediate death by being selected for labor were
systematically stripped of their individual identities. They had their hair systematically stripped of their individual identities. They had their hair
shaved off and a registration number tattooed on their left forearm. Men shaved off and a registration number tattooed on their left forearm. Men
were forced to wear ragged, striped pants and jackets, and women wore work were forced to wear ragged, striped pants and jackets, and women wore work
dresses. Both were issued ill-fitting work shoes, sometimes clogs. They had dresses. Both were issued ill-fitting work shoes, sometimes clogs. They had
no change of clothing and slept in the same clothes they worked in.no change of clothing and slept in the same clothes they worked in.

15. AuschwitzAuschwitz
Each day was a struggle for survival under unbearable conditions. Prisoners
were housed in primitive barracks that had no windows and were not
insulated from the heat or cold. There was no bathroom, only a bucket.
Each barrack held about 36 wooden bunk beds, and inmates were squeezed
in five or six across on the wooden plank. As many as 500 inmates lodged
in a single barrack.
●Inmates were always hungry. Food consisted of watery soup made with
rotten vegetables and meat, a few ounces of bread, a bit of margarine, tea,
or a bitter drink resembling coffee. Diarrhea was common. People
weakened by dehydration and hunger fell easy victim to the contagious
diseases that spread through the camp.

16. AuschwitzAuschwitz
Some inmates worked as forced laborers inside the camp, in the kitchen or as Some inmates worked as forced laborers inside the camp, in the kitchen or as
barbers, for example. Women often sorted the piles of shoes, clothes, and other barbers, for example. Women often sorted the piles of shoes, clothes, and other
prisoner belongings, which would be shipped back to Germany for use there. The prisoner belongings, which would be shipped back to Germany for use there. The
storage warehouses at storage warehouses at Auschwitz-BirkenauAuschwitz-Birkenau, located near two of the crematoria, were , located near two of the crematoria, were
called "Canada," because the Poles regarded that country as a place of great riches. called "Canada," because the Poles regarded that country as a place of great riches.
At Auschwitz, as at hundreds of other camps in the Reich and occupied Europe At Auschwitz, as at hundreds of other camps in the Reich and occupied Europe
where the Germans used forced laborers, prisoners were also employed outside the where the Germans used forced laborers, prisoners were also employed outside the
camps, in coal mines and rock quarries, and on construction projects, digging camps, in coal mines and rock quarries, and on construction projects, digging
tunnels and canals. Under armed guard, they shoveled snow off roads and cleared tunnels and canals. Under armed guard, they shoveled snow off roads and cleared
rubble from roads and towns hit during air raids. A large number of forced laborers rubble from roads and towns hit during air raids. A large number of forced laborers
eventually were used in factories that produced weapons and other goods that eventually were used in factories that produced weapons and other goods that
supported the German war effort. Many private companies, such as I. G. Farben supported the German war effort. Many private companies, such as I. G. Farben
and Bavarian Motor Works (BMW), which produced automobile and airplane and Bavarian Motor Works (BMW), which produced automobile and airplane
engines, eagerly sought the use of prisoners as a source of cheap labor.engines, eagerly sought the use of prisoners as a source of cheap labor.
Escape from Auschwitz was almost impossible. Electrically charged barbed-wire Escape from Auschwitz was almost impossible. Electrically charged barbed-wire
fences surrounded both the concentration camp and the killing center. Guards, fences surrounded both the concentration camp and the killing center. Guards,
equipped with machine guns and automatic rifles, stood in the many watchtowers. equipped with machine guns and automatic rifles, stood in the many watchtowers.
The lives of the prisoners were completely controlled by their guards, who on a The lives of the prisoners were completely controlled by their guards, who on a
whim could inflict cruel punishment on them. Prisoners were also mistreated by whim could inflict cruel punishment on them. Prisoners were also mistreated by
fellow inmates who were chosen to supervise the others in return for special favors fellow inmates who were chosen to supervise the others in return for special favors
by the guards.by the guards.

17. Auschwitz Auschwitz
Cruel "medical experiments" were conducted at Auschwitz. Men, women, Cruel "medical experiments" were conducted at Auschwitz. Men, women,
and children were used as subjects. and children were used as subjects. SSSS physician Dr. Josef Mengele carried physician Dr. Josef Mengele carried
out painful and traumatic experiments on dwarfs and twins, including young out painful and traumatic experiments on dwarfs and twins, including young
children. The aim of some experiments was to find better medical treatments children. The aim of some experiments was to find better medical treatments
for German soldiers and airmen. Other experiments were aimed at improving for German soldiers and airmen. Other experiments were aimed at improving
methods of sterilizing people the Nazis considered inferior. methods of sterilizing people the Nazis considered inferior. Many people Many people
died during the experiments. Others were killed after the "research" was died during the experiments. Others were killed after the "research" was
completed and their organs removed for further study.completed and their organs removed for further study.
Most prisoners at Auschwitz survived only a few weeks or months. Those Most prisoners at Auschwitz survived only a few weeks or months. Those
who were too ill or too weak to work were condemned to death in the gas who were too ill or too weak to work were condemned to death in the gas
chambers. Some committed suicide by throwing themselves against the chambers. Some committed suicide by throwing themselves against the
electric wires. Others resembled walking corpses, broken in body and spirit. electric wires. Others resembled walking corpses, broken in body and spirit.
Yet other inmates were determined to stay alive.Yet other inmates were determined to stay alive.

18. Auschwitz Auschwitz
 Some inmates worked as forced laborers inside the camp, in the kitchen or as barbers, Some inmates worked as forced laborers inside the camp, in the kitchen or as barbers,
for example. Women often sorted the piles of shoes, clothes, and other prisoner for example. Women often sorted the piles of shoes, clothes, and other prisoner
belongings, which would be shipped back to Germany for use there. The storage belongings, which would be shipped back to Germany for use there. The storage
warehouses at warehouses at Auschwitz-BirkenauAuschwitz-Birkenau, located near two of the crematoria, were called , located near two of the crematoria, were called
"Canada," because the Poles regarded that country as a place of great riches. At "Canada," because the Poles regarded that country as a place of great riches. At
Auschwitz, as at hundreds of other camps in the Auschwitz, as at hundreds of other camps in the ReichReich and occupied Europe where and occupied Europe where
the Germans used forced laborers, prisoners were also employed outside the camps, in the Germans used forced laborers, prisoners were also employed outside the camps, in
coal mines and rock quarries, and on construction projects, digging tunnels and canals. coal mines and rock quarries, and on construction projects, digging tunnels and canals.
Under armed guard, they shoveled snow off roads and cleared rubble from roads and Under armed guard, they shoveled snow off roads and cleared rubble from roads and
towns hit during air raids. A large number of forced laborers eventually were used in towns hit during air raids. A large number of forced laborers eventually were used in
factories that produced weapons and other goods that supported the German war factories that produced weapons and other goods that supported the German war
effort. Many private companies, such as I. G. Farben and Bavarian Motor Works effort. Many private companies, such as I. G. Farben and Bavarian Motor Works
(BMW), which produced automobile and airplane engines, eagerly sought the use of (BMW), which produced automobile and airplane engines, eagerly sought the use of
prisoners as a source of cheap labor.prisoners as a source of cheap labor.
Escape from Auschwitz was almost impossible. Electrically charged barbed-wire Escape from Auschwitz was almost impossible. Electrically charged barbed-wire
fences surrounded both the concentration camp and the killing center. Guards, fences surrounded both the concentration camp and the killing center. Guards,
equipped with machine guns and automatic rifles, stood in the many watchtowers. The equipped with machine guns and automatic rifles, stood in the many watchtowers. The
lives of the prisoners were completely controlled by their guards, who on a whim lives of the prisoners were completely controlled by their guards, who on a whim
could inflict cruel punishment on them. Prisoners were also mistreated by fellow could inflict cruel punishment on them. Prisoners were also mistreated by fellow
inmates who were chosen to supervise the others in return for special favors by the inmates who were chosen to supervise the others in return for special favors by the
guards.guards.

19. AuschwitzAuschwitz
Cruel "medical experiments" were conducted at Auschwitz. Men, women, Cruel "medical experiments" were conducted at Auschwitz. Men, women,
and children were used as subjects. and children were used as subjects. SSSS physician Dr. Josef physician Dr. Josef MengeleMengele carried carried
out painful and traumatic experiments on dwarfs and twins, including young out painful and traumatic experiments on dwarfs and twins, including young
children. The aim of some experiments was to find better medical treatments children. The aim of some experiments was to find better medical treatments
for German soldiers and airmen. Other experiments were aimed at improving for German soldiers and airmen. Other experiments were aimed at improving
methods of sterilizing people the Nazis considered inferior. methods of sterilizing people the Nazis considered inferior. Many people Many people
died during the experiments. Others were killed after the "research" was died during the experiments. Others were killed after the "research" was
completed and their organs removed for further study.completed and their organs removed for further study.
Most prisoners at Auschwitz survived only a few weeks or months. Those Most prisoners at Auschwitz survived only a few weeks or months. Those
who were too ill or too weak to work were condemned to death in the gas who were too ill or too weak to work were condemned to death in the gas
chambers. Some committed suicide by throwing themselves against the chambers. Some committed suicide by throwing themselves against the
electric wires. Others resembled walking corpses, broken in body and spirit. electric wires. Others resembled walking corpses, broken in body and spirit.
Yet other inmates were determined to stay alive.Yet other inmates were determined to stay alive.

20. The gates of Auschwitz The gates of Auschwitz

21. Images of the Holocaust Images of the Holocaust

German soldiers of the German soldiers of the
Waffen-SS and the Reich Waffen-SS and the Reich
Labor Service look on as a Labor Service look on as a
member of an member of an
Einsatzgruppe (mobile Einsatzgruppe (mobile
killing unit) prepares to killing unit) prepares to
shoot a Ukrainian Jew shoot a Ukrainian Jew
kneeling on the edge of a kneeling on the edge of a
mass grave filled with mass grave filled with
corpses.corpses. United States United States
Holocaust Memorial Holocaust Memorial
Museum #64407/Library of Museum #64407/Library of
Congress Congress

22. More ImagesMore Images
Deportation from the
Westerbork transit camp.
The Netherlands, 1943-
1944.
Prisoners were forced to have
their heads shaved, as a form
of dehumanizing them.

23. Images of the prisoners Images of the prisoners
of Auschwitzof Auschwitz

24. After American Liberation After American Liberation
Soon after liberation, a Soviet
physician examines Auschwitz
camp survivors. Poland, February
18, 1945
American military personnel view
corpses in the Buchenwald
concentration camp. This
photograph was taken after the
liberation of the camp. Germany,
April 18, 1945.