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Auschwitz Today – Photo Essay questions

Look through the 20 pictures included in this show, reading the comments included and answer the following questions.  The descriptions are brief and the questions are not in any special order.

1.  What was the crematory found at Auschwitz ?

2.  What was the name of the gas used to kill people in the gas chambers?

3.  For what purpose were the attics of the crematoriums used?

4.  In what country was Auschwitz located?

5.  What were blocks 10 and 11?

6.  About how many inmates were housed in each of the barracks?

7.  From how many different countries were prisoners brought to the Birkenau section of Auschwitz ?

8.  What famous Nazi leader was hanged at Auschwitz after the end of the war?

9.  What does “Arbeit macht frei” mean?

10.  On what day did the murders from Auschwitz try to destroy crematoriums and cover up evidence of their crimes?

11.  What other groups were killed at Auschwitz besides Jews?

12.  One of the pictures shows a pile of thousands of shoes.  Why did the Nazis take away all of the possessions of the inmates of the camps?

Holocaust Timeline questions

Follow the timeline and answer each of the following questions.  These questions do come in order.

1.  Hitler was appointed Chancellor on January 30, 1933 .  Who was the president of Germany at that time?

2.  Name several of the authors whose books were burned starting on May 10, 1933 .

3.  List three different activities from which Jews were excluded in 1933.

4.  Explain, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, the new law passed after Hindenburg died on August 2, 1934 .

5.  Within a few days after this law was passed, public officials and military personnel were required to swear loyalty oaths.  You will see one of these oaths below using different names and places.  After reading this oath, describe the problem with this type of oath in our current system. 

 'I swear by God this sacred oath: I will render unconditional obedience to Candice Vendel, the leader of the world history students and American people, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and will be ready as a brave soldier to risk my life at any time for this oath.'

Could this or should this ever happen in our country?

6.  A significant event occurred with the passing of the Nuremburg Race Laws on September 15, 1935 .  From reading these laws, what did the Nazis consider to be a “full Jew”?

7.  Why are the Olympic Games that were held in Berlin in August, 1936 important to Americans?

8.  Describe what happened on the nights of November 9 and 10, 1938.

9.  Read the statement made by Hitler on January 30, 1939 .  Now in your own words, summarize what he was saying.

10.  Technically, WWII begins with the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 .  However, everything that you have been reading up to this point had already happened.  Go back over the several years since Hitler became chancellor and choose five different events that you feel were very significant in persecution of the Jews.  I am looking for you to explain these events, not simply cut and paste.  You also must describe why you think these events are so significant.