The first unit of this 12-unit curriculum builds the foundation for Holocaust study by introducing key vocabulary, the purpose of studying the Holocaust, and the value of diverse source materials.
Trace the origins of antisemitism and its role in shaping Nazi ideology in this unit, where students define key terms, review historical resources, and build a timeline of antisemitic events.
Explore how Nazi-imposed ghettos isolated and oppressed Jewish communities, and the ways Jews struggled to preserve dignity in dehumanizing conditions.
Explore the Nazi establishment of extermination camps, the use of mobile killing squads, and the roles of perpetrators in this unit on the “Final Solution.”
Explore the challenges of liberation and the resilience of Holocaust survivors in this unit on the aftermath of genocide and the experiences of displaced persons.