Holocaust and Weimar Republic Overview

The Holocaust refers to the systematic genocide of European Jews during World War II, orchestrated by Nazi Germany, during which six million Jewish people were murdered.

Antisemitism is prejudice, discrimination, or hostility directed at Jewish people. It has deep roots in European history, fueled by religious, economic, and social factors.

The early Christian Church blamed the Jews for Jesus' death, creating a rift between the two groups. This contributed to antisemitism, as Christians sought to distance themselves from Judaism.

The Roman Empire's conquest of Jerusalem and subsequent repression of Judaism marked a significant turning point in Jewish history. This event fueled antisemitism as the Romans sought to establish dominance and control over the region.

The Weimar Republic was Germany's government after World War I until the Nazi rise to power. Its key challenge was dealing with the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed heavy reparations on Germany, leading to economic turmoil and political instability.

The Treaty of Versailles, signed after World War I, placed harsh penalties on Germany, including huge reparations. These burdens contributed heavily to Germany's economic instability and political unrest, laying the groundwork for the rise of Nazism.

Hyperinflation occurred in Germany during the 1920s, marked by rapid and uncontrolled increases in prices. This devastating economic reality fueled political instability and contributed to the rise of extreme ideologies like Nazism.

The Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, exploited Germany's economic woes, political instability, and resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles to gain power. They promised a strong and united Germany, appealing to nationalistic sentiments and scapegoating certain groups for Germany's problems, including Jews.

The legislative, executive, and judicial branches are the three branches of government in the Weimar Republic.

In Germany, voters choose a party instead of a specific person to represent them in government. The number of seats a party gets is determined by the percentage of votes they receive.

The president of the Weimar Republic held significant power, controlling the military and having the authority to dissolve the Reichstag (parliament) and call for new elections.

The chancellor of the Weimar Republic was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the government.

Adolph Hitler, born in Austria, moved to Vienna with aspirations to become an artist but was rejected from art school. His subsequent experiences of rejection and growing antisemitism shaped his early ideology.

The National Socialist German Workers' Party, commonly known as the Nazi party, was founded based on extreme antisemitism. Their goal was to eliminate Jewish influence within Germany.

The SA, also known as the Brownshirts, was the Nazi party's private army. It grew significantly in size, reaching 400,000 members by 1932.

The Munich Beer Hall Putsch was Hitler's first attempt to seize power. This failed coup resulted in Hitler's imprisonment, where he began writing his manifesto "Mein Kampf."

The legislative body of the Weimar Republic. It was the target of a suspicious fire in 1933, which Hitler used to consolidate power.

Hitler's name for the new German Empire, emphasizing its dominance and ambition.

The leader of the Weimar Republic, controlling the military and able to dissolve the Reichstag.

The head of the government in the Weimar Republic, responsible for everyday administration.

A German word emphasizing the importance of the German people, often used by Hitler to promote national unity.

A German word for 'living space', used by Hitler to justify the expansion of Germany and claiming more territory.

The first concentration camp opened in 1933. It was used to detain political opponents and prisoners of the Nazi regime.

The leader of the SA (Stormtroopers), a potential rival to Hitler who was eliminated in 1934.

Hitler's title combining the powers of President and Chancellor, establishing a dictatorship where his words held absolute authority.

The Nazi paramilitary force, initially serving as Hitler's bodyguard, later becoming a powerful organization responsible for enforcing Nazi ideology.

Commander of the SS, second in power to Hitler, responsible for implementing Nazi policies and overseeing the persecution of Jews.

A series of laws enacted in 1935, stripping German Jews of their citizenship and rights, prohibiting intermarriage, and creating a confusing system of racial categorization.

The night of November 9-10, 1938, when Nazi mobs attacked synagogues, Jewish businesses, and homes, marking a violent escalation of anti-Semitic persecution.

A German word meaning 'free of Jews,' reflecting the Nazi goal of expelling or eliminating Jews from German territory.

The annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938, part of Hitler's ambition for 'Lebensraum' (living space) for the Aryan race.

A region in Czechoslovakia with a German-speaking population, annexed by Germany in 1938 following the Munich Agreement, a key event leading to World War II.