A description of life in the Jewish ghettos of Eastern Europe during World War II.
Browsable directory of encyclopedia articles on topics related to the Holocaust, with accompanying rich-media material (photos, maps, historical films, audio clips, etc.) available for particular topics. A full complement of articles is available in English; translations in other languages are available for select entries.
In spite of the great risk, many non-Jewish people across Europe undertook rescue operations, both great and small, to hide or remove people persecuted by the Nazis, especially Jews. This article discusses some of the most notable efforts.
The Holocaust was the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, between 1933 and 1945. Jews were the primary victims - six million were murdered. Roma (Gypsies), physically and mentally disabled people and Poles were also targeted for destruction or decimation for racial, ethnic, or national reasons. Millions more, including homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war, and political dissidents also suffered grievous oppression and death under Nazi tyranny. [6:34]
Article about the concentration camps established by the Nazis in the area around Jasenovac in Croatia, and their use in eliminating political and religious opponents, as well as Jews shipped in from other places in Eastern Europe.
Article about the Jehovah's Witnesses in Germany during World War II, their attitudes toward the Nazis and the war, and their subsequent treatment by the Nazis.
A brief history of the Jehovah's Witnesses, especially in Germany, and the persecution they faced in Germany from the Nazis.
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum features the Jewish Parachutists from Palestine who volunteered to join the British Army. Describes their role in organizing resistance to the Germans and aiding in the rescue of Allied captives. Details how many volunteered, how many were left after training, where the volunteers were located and the outcome of their efforts. Provides map which details the location and the number of parachutists located in each area. Displays pictures of parachutists.
Data by country of the Jewish population in Europe prior to World War II.
Article describes the various organized and individual resistance movements and actions taken by Jews in Germany and throughout Europe during World War II.
This article chronicles both the plight and the resistance of the Jews in the Lithuanian city of Kovno during World War II.
An account of the German occupation of the Polish city of Krakow, and the subsequent Nazi persecution of the Jewish population, especially the destruction of the Krakow Ghetto.
Article outlining the roles of the various Allied armies, including the Russian, American, and British forces, in liberating the Nazi concentration camps in the late months of World War II.
Article about the German takeover of the Polish city of Lodz early in World War II.
An account of the role the Majdanek concentration camp in Poland played both in providing labor for the Nazi war effort and in the "final solution" the Nazis planned.
An analysis of the scope of Nazi persecution during World War II, including the Jews, Poles, Roma, and any groups people who did not support the Nazi cause.
Extensive site created by the US Holocaust Memorial Museum to explain the people involved with the Nazi concentration/death camps. Learn about who was targeted, and how those who led the camps were ultimately punished. Site provides information through photographs, personal stories, maps, and archival film footage.
A description of the use of concentration camp prisoners for medical experimentation by the Nazis during World War II.
This Holocaust Memorial Museum exhibition site looks at the controversial 1936 Olympics held in Berlin.
This article details the Nazi treatment of Soviet prisoners of war in World War II. Though it is not frequently discussed, there were almost as many Soviet prisoners killed by the Nazis as there were Jews.