KS3 / KS4 / GCSE History: World War Two - Conditions at Auschwitz

Overview

• Dan Snow presents the history of the Holocaust using BBC archival clips.
• Focus on Auschwitz, a notorious Nazi concentration camp during WWII.

Auschwitz Facts

• 1.3 million people were sent to Auschwitz; 1.1 million died.
• Victims included:
  • Jews (1 million, including 200,000 children)
  • Jehovah's Witnesses
  • Homosexuals
  • Soviet POWs (15,000)
  • Gypsies (21,000)
  • Polish political prisoners (70,000)

Survivor Testimony

• Alice Lok Cahana identifies family members, highlighting personal loss.

Holocaust Denial

• Oskar Groning's testimony aimed to combat Holocaust denial.
  • Worked at Auschwitz managing possessions of Jewish prisoners.
  • Prosecuted as an accessory to murder; sentenced to four years but died before prison.

Discussion Points

• The sheer scale of the atrocities is challenging to comprehend.
• Historical revisionism and denial remain issues.

Educational Relevance

• Suitable for KS3, KS4/GCSE, and National 4/5 in Scotland.
• Encourages discussions on:
  • Nazi persecution of minority groups
  • Propaganda used by Nazis
  • Ethical considerations of prosecuting historical figures

Related Materials

• Rudolph Hőss' Evidence: Role as commandant and testimony.
• Auschwitz Expansion: Addressing the influx of Jewish prisoners.
• Use of Gas Chambers: Development and implementation in the Holocaust.
• Survival Stories: Anka's survival and childbirth story at Auschwitz.

Classroom Use

• Teacher Discretion: Recommended review before use due to sensitive content.
• Suitable for exploring themes of anti-Semitism, genocide, and memory preservation.
• Resources available for broader context and additional exploration.