Victims of War & Economic Depression

The last few classes we have focused on the impacts of the Great Depression on Canadians and Americans.  We are now broadening our exploration to investigate how economic depression was connected to the rise of discrimination and specifically anti-Semitism around the world, during the lead up to and conflict of World War II.

Essay Question:  Describe some of the ways in which discrimination and human rights atrocities were evident as part of the lead up and conflict of World War II.

In order to answer this question, we are going to do some research on a few different case studies including:

• Anti-Semitism in Canada and the Holocaust
• Japanese Internment Camps in Canada and USA
• Japanese Invasion of China and Korea

WEBQUEST ASSIGNMENT - HOLOCAUST

For each section, record either the answers, or 2-3 reflections/connections to each Part.

PART 1: Kristallnacht - The Day the Holocaust Began

It's important to recognize that the Holocaust didn't begin with concentration camps, it began with a systematic stripping of rights and freedoms through discriminatory laws.  Many people believe that this event marked the 'beginning of the Holocaust'.  Investigate the pictures and record your thoughts and reflections.


PART 2 - Click on  BBC History's Genocide Page expand the section, and click on 'Interactive Map of 'Auschwitz'  

Go through the different parts of the Interactive map.  Pause and read when something is of interest to you.  Answer the following questions.

• Question 1 - What were the Einzatsgruppen?
• Question 2 - Enter into the 'Auschwitz' camp.  What happened in the crematorium? 
• Question 3 -  What happened in the 'Kanada' room?   

Reflect - Record some of your thoughts about the Holocaust that arose from this website. 

PART 3: History UK Holocaust Page

This a collection of many different stories related to the Holocaust.  Examine the different headlines.  Choose at least one, and read through the article.  Record 3-4 interesting thoughts that you have learned, or connections that you have made.

PART 4 - TIME Magazine - Inside Auschwitz. 

Auschwitz-Birkenau was one of the most brutal concentration camps created by Nazi Germany.  This image collection takes you inside the camp.  As you look through the images, think about the ways in which these camps and policies systematically took away the human rights of its prisoners.

PART 5 - The Experiments - 'Science' and the Nazis

During WWII, Nazi and Japanese doctors/scientists completed horrific experiments on many subjects.  In Germany, these were subjects that had been sent to concentration camps. 

• Summarize one of the experiments in your notes
• Question - How do you feel about the fact that some of the scientific knowledge that we have today is based on research completed on unwilling participants during WWII?

PART 6 - Canada and the MS St Louis

Anti-Semitism extended to Canada as well - this was not strictly a 'European issue'.  Summarize the events of the MS St Louis, and the way in which Anti-Semitism manifested itself in Canada.  It is a case study that would be very important if you choose to do the essay on human rights.


EXTRA:  Video Links that may be of interest to you

World War II and the Holocaust

Crash Course History - WWII