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"Nazi Book Burning" (Moshfique & Shila)

The Nazi’s used to organize a huge book burning program on the month of May during the days of the war. This program used to take place every year; the books written by the Jews were burned in to ashes. On the May 10^th to 11th 1933, 40,000 people gathered around the Bebelplatz in the Mitte, in the city of Berlin. That crowd was consisted of many different types of people, from different occupations. A huge percentage of the crowd was from the 30 top Universities in Germany of that time, there were students from Hitler youth, the Nazi party supporters, and some people came so that they don’t have to face problems regarding helping Jews. Hitler really believed in the power of literature. He himself wrote a book “Mein Kampf” to express the feeling, share facts about his life with the people of that time. He thought that books were the best way to get into people minds. When it came to Jews, he respected the power of literature so much that he ordered to burn down all the books written by Jews, so that no one could really know about the real struggle that the Jews were facing every day, know about their life. In a way he destroyed the communication channel with the public and the subfreezing Jews of that time.

 For more details on "Nazi Book Burning"

"The book-burning campaign"

On April 6th, 1933, the German Students Association took an important decision. The main office of printing press (BOOKS) and Propaganda printing were controlled by the German Student Association; they decided to start "Action against the Un-German Spirit". That action was the climax point in a literary purge or "cleansing" by fire. "Un-German" books at the Wartburg festival on the 300th anniversary of the posting of Luther's Theses. The thesis was known as a "pure" national language and culture. The thesis was written for a good purpose, but it was used in a negative way to peruse people to the wrong way of hatred. "Jewish Literature", was represented in a way that it needed to get "purified” German literature, and ordered those selected universities to be the centers of German nationalism of literature. The students said that the action was a response to a worldwide Jewish "smear campaign" against Germany and threat to traditions of German and the German culture as well.
On the 10^th of May 1933, the students burned around 25,000 volumes of books written by Jew writers. 10^th May is the date when most universities in towns started a parade consisted of the national students; they marched in torchlight parades against the “un-German spirit." The parade was consisted of important people; there were high Nazi officials, professors, rectors, and student leaders. In the meeting, the participants really enjoyed by throwing books in the fire, enjoying their time, there was music playing too; they burned the books with the rhythm of the song “Fire Oaths."

More details on the preparation of the "Book Burn"...


Reference to “Book Thief”

In the book “Book thief”, the importance of literature was perfectly presented. The main character “Liesel” steals books in some occasions, and she considers that as her achievement. The importance of books in her life really represents the power that literature really contains. When she feels bad about life, or has nightmares, she requests her dad to read a book to her. In the Book there is  a quote “We stopped our enemies once again. We stopped them reaching our minds.” This shows that the leaders of Nazi also though that literature was an important factor and can really be used  as  a weapon to peruse people. In the book thief, we see that there is a portion where it talks about Hitler’s book “Mein kampf”. Hitler wrote the book to spread the story about his life, his struggles caused by Jews, in one way, he used the book to persue people to believe him and support him. In a portion of the book, it is stated that “Burning books of Jews were like burning the feelings of Jew writers in a way”. After that, the book was personified, described in the same way a human being is described. In a way, that was a also a technique used by the author to show that doing some thing to the book was more likely the same as doing it the writers.\

 Book Thief Quotes...

Book Burning Video...(REAL)

Tahmid and Yohance

Jesse Owens: The Great "Non-Aryan" Athlete

It was the summer of 1936 and Nazism was running rampant through out Eastern Europe.  The Olympics were headed to Berlin, Germany and Hitler saw this as a golden opportunity to show why Aryans were the superior race, and why Germany was Eutopia.  He was proved wrong. Jesse Owens was a young African American who pursued his dreams, with many alterations, and objects in the way. He did not care about Hitler’s political strategies, he wanted to win. He broke three world records and achieved 4 gold medals during the course of the Olympics, and was said to be the "..Greatest victory in history" (Zusak, 57).Hitler became outraged. He cursed the Americans and called the African American race “not human.” Jesse obtained his first gold medal in the 100 meter dash with the record breaking time of 10.3 seconds; his second medal came from long jump where he jumped an astonishing fleet. A German athlete gave him tips, and it worked, and it proved to success. He got his third medal at the 200m dash. The fourth gold medal came from a last minute decision to substitute Jesse, instead of the runner supposed to run, While German officials denounced Owens, many Germans cheered for him. He was an idol amongst, the Germans even though his characteristics didn’t fit the standards of “Aryan”. Many children around the world were "just being Jesse Owens" (Zusask, 58) After all the fame and glory Jesse had in Germany, the Germans paid ought and named a street in his honour.  Jesse Owens suffered from many medical complications that detered him throught his adolescent life. Even though he faced these road blocks he persued his ambitions and strived to become one of the top atheltes in the world. When Jesse arrived back at his praise and worship lasted mearly one week, and he was dragged into the degradation of segregation and was an outcast amoung the atheltes.

"When I came back to my native country, after all the stories about Hitler, I still couldn't ride in the front of the bus."Interesting facts:

• Owens, who smoked up to a pack of cigarettes a day for a good deal of his life, died of lung cancer in Tucson, Arizona on March 31, 1980.
• He raced against cars and horses to gain money for the time he was active.
• Owens set 3 world records
• He made many records starting from his high school career.

Bibliography:

"Jesse Owens." biography.com. A&E Television Networks, 1996. Web. 30 Apr 2012. http://www.biography.com/people/jesse-owens-9431142

Borden, Timothy. "Owens, Jesse." Notable Sports Figures. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 Apr. 2012<http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

Click here to read more! from the article

Hitler a Tolerant Man?

The 1936 olympics were coming to Berlin Germany and Hitler knew he could take advantage of this event and show the world why Aryans are the superior race. He was proved wrong. Even though Jesse Owens proved Hitler politically incorrect, much of this story is a great myth. As said by William J. Baker, Jesse Owens Biographer, “the newspaper made the whole thing up.” Hitler did not congratulate Jesse Owens and he also did not congratulate any other athletes, even the German victors. He was given orders from the Olympic committee. There were also many myths that Hitler snubbed Owens but it is also false. It was actually Cornelius Johnson where the podium was to be decorated and Hitler left the stadium and it was pre-scheduled, but no one believed that. There were many more mis-conceptions. Many people adored Jesse Owens when he was about to receive his gold medal. As described in the article, “the crowd gave him several ear-shattering ovations.” Many people have misunderstood the out-come of the whole Olympics. Even though Jesse Owens only received four gold medals, the Gemans’ Aryan race won a large handful of medals. Hitler was obviously pleased with the outcome. 

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Nazi Symbolism (Sulakshan and Omar)

History of the Swastika

Nazi symbolism was a crucial part in identifying the fascist party. The most famous is the swastika, it was primary chosen because it originally meant peace. He saw this as a message to the German people. Now when one sees the swastika symbol they are struck with racism and hatred.

         The swastika is a very powerful symbol that speaks for itself; it has a positive meaning but, has been used for bad by the Nazi’s in murdering millions of people. By the middle ages the swastika was called many different names from China to Germany. Until the Nazi used the symbol the swastika basically meant to be good. It has been a good omen meaning life, sun, power, strength, and good luck, because of Nazis; the swastika soon became a symbol of hate, anti-Semitism, violence, death, and murder.

The Nazi attire was soon created by famous designer Hugo Boss. The Clothing and sophisticated iron pressed look strikes fear into their enemies, which gave them an obedient soldier look, but a rich business man.

 

Interesting Facts

• The swastika is a symbol that has been used as far back since 1000 BCE.
• The image of the swastika was used by many cultures such as India, China, Japan, & southern Europe the following thousands of year.

History of The Swastika

Hugo Boss affiliation with Nazi's Appologizes

Two evils shake hands with knives concealed.

Nazi pact with the Soviet Communists
Nazis on communism

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend”. Politicians know this all too well… To fulfill his ambitions for the country of Germany Adolf Hitler would put this into effect. It is common knowledge to all that the Nazi are not fond of those of Jewish backgrounds, yet the Nazis showed malice towards numerous others. One of the multiple enemies of the right winged socialist Nazis being the Communistic ruled Soviet Union. At this time one could consider Germany and the Soviet Union to true enemies destined for battle. Yet it may come as a wonder why in the world would Hitler and the communist Joseph Stalin approve on a non-aggression pact being formed by the two. The Soviets knew all so well that Germany was destined to invade their boundaries yet with this knowledge of future battle looming, the two country’s leaders knew that this pact was for the greater good of their country. Stalin knew that this pact would give them a time interval till their next battle and award them with half of Poland whilst Hitler was given the chance to take Poland without little pressure. This pact was mere trickery and short lasted though as in 1940 Germany would take their step and invade the soviet. This pact still comes as a shock to all who look over it. Hitler and Stalin’s cunningness and slyness are unparalleled, and with this decision being brought about any would successfully argue Hitler was both patient and successful when taking out his enemies. He successfully made a short lasting friendship with one of his worst enemies to not only take them out but to gain unbelievable power over the world.

By: Arrjun and Niko

Article Link Here

Historical reference Here

Intresting Facts

Hitler is commonly regarded as a heinnous murderer of millions, yet many forget about Joseph Stalin who killed 20 million in Russia. LINK

Everyone knows that Hitler and germanys policy on those of Jewish were that they should be exterminated yet Joseph Stalin was a front man for Jewish people LINK

This pact was sort lived as Hitler and germany invaded the soviet immediatly in  1940 

Kristallnacht (By: Christina S. and Zaiah B.)

             Kristallnacht was the night when the Jewish people were no longer able to live in Germany. This began on the night on November 9^th till the 10^th in 1938, when German Nazis attacked the Jewish and left shattered glass on the street. Therefore the name Kristallnacht fits this battle perfectly. The hostility continued through the night and during the next day.

Just before Kristallnacht on November 7^th a Polish-Jewish student, Herschel Grynszpan shot and murdered the German diplomat. Once Adolf Hitler received the news about the diplomat, he and the Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels discussed the issue and then a gathering of old storm troopers became violent. This went from bad to worst once the telephone orders from Munich had planned extermination by the government.  

On November 9^th at midnight all police units were contacted and told to arrest any victims during the burning of buildings. All fire companies were told to wait and stand by the buildings in flames and were only aloud to interfere if the fire was threatening any properties nearby. In those two days more than one thousand buildings burned down.

The ending of the rampage finished with the discarding of Jewish people in Germany. After Kristallnacht, the Nazi regime had caused significantly troubling times for the Jews to live in Germany. The Nazi government had additionally fined the Jewish community for one billion reichsmarks.

Quotes:  “They watched the Jews come down the road like a catalogue of colours. That wasn’t how the book thief described them, but I can tell you that that’s exactly what they were, for many of them would die. They would each greet me like their last true friend, with bones like smoke, and their souls trailing behind.”  Page 391

Hermann Göring stated: “The swine won’t commit another murder. Incidentally…I would not like to be a Jew in Germany.”

Kristallnacht Article

 Facts:

• Kristallnacht also called “crystal night” or “night of broken glass."
• It began on the night on November 9^th till the 10^th in 1938.
• Roughly ninety Jews were killed and thousands were arrested between the age of         sixteen to sixty.
• On November 9th and 10th thousands of buring buildings throughout the streets of Germany.
• 7  thousands jewish business were also robbed from and destroyed.
• Costed millions of dollars to clean up the borken glass on the streets.
• After Kristallnacht, The Nazi Government had forbid Jewish people to most public places.
• Jewish people had authorized curfews from the Nazi Government as well.

The "Final Solution" by Kalle and Nabeelah

The "Final Solution": Overview Summary and Facts about the Final Solution

The “Final Solution” is a Nazi term used to refer to their plan to abrogate the Jewish race during World War II. The race extermination of the Jews was the summit of the Nazis anti-Semitic hatred. The massacre of the Jews was invoked in stages. Before the war, Nazi policies of persecution and segregation contemplate German Jews. After the Nazi party confiscated power in 1933, state-sponsored racism procreated anti-Jewish legislation, boycotts, "Aryanization", and colossal street violence pogroms. All of these stages consistently segregated the Jews from society and eventually drive them out of their country.

After the Germans invaded Poland in September 1939, anti-Jewish protocols peaked to imprisonment and eventual murder of European Jews. The Nazi’s began to exile Polish and western European Jews to ghettos to live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions with inadequate food rations. When the Germans invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, the Schutzstaffel acted as mobile killing units that began massive killing operations intended at Jewish communities. Later during autumn 1941, the Schutzstaffel units used mobile gas vans. These vans had exhaust pipes constructed to pump poisonous carbon monoxide gas into sealed spaces to kill the Jews. This was arranged to correlate shooting operations. On July 31, 1941, Nazi leader Hermann Goering entitled SS General Reinhard Heydrich to make provisions for the usage of a "complete solution of the Jewish question."

In autumn of 1941, the code name Operation Reinhard was given to this solution. Nazi leaders established four killing centers in Poland: Belzec, Chelmno, Sobibor, and Treblinka. The Auschwitz-Birkeneau concentration camp and Majdanek labour camp was modified into extermination camps. These camps were the final stage in the “Final Solution.”

Click HERE to read the original article

Facts

 * Nearly six million Jews were murdered in Europe as part of Adolf Hitler's "Final Solution" to what the Nazi dictator called the Jewish problem, according to Yad Vashem, Israel's national memorial to the victims.
* The decision to kill all the Jews of Europe was formulated in late 1941, and Nazi officials at the Wannsee Conference in January 1942 coordinated the apparatus of mass murder.
* Most Holocaust victims were murdered in six Nazi extermination camps. Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland was the largest and at least 1.1 million Jews were killed there before its liberation by the Red Army on January 27, 1945. In total 85pc of the Jewish population in Poland died - some 2.8m people.

* At least 1.5m children were killed in the Holocaust. Only an estimated 11pc of Jewish children who were alive in 1933 survived the Holocaust.

* Other victims of Nazi atrocities totalled an estimated 5.5m and included up to half a million Gypsies, an estimated 10,000-15,000 homosexuals and three million Poles.

* While all countries officially agree with the "never again" lesson of Auschwitz, some Holocaust researchers fault the wartime allies for not bombing the railway tracks that brought boxcars of Jews to the Nazi camp to be killed.

Click HERE to find these facts and more on the Final Solution

Quotes from The Book Thief

"They watched the Jews come down the road like a catalog of colours...I can tell you that that's exactly what they were, for many of them would die. They would greet me like their last true friend, with bones like smoke and their souls trailing behind."(Zusak, 391)

"Perhaps the death camps were kept secret but at times people were shown the glory of a labour camp like Dachau"(Zusak, 391)

He was dead. The man was dead. Just give him five more minutes and he would surely fall into the German gutter and die."(Zusak, 393)

Nazi Propaganda (Tisant & Leeza)

In Nazi Germany, propagandas were becoming very influential for political groups to use on their citizens. The main point of propaganda is to persuade that your side or idea is correct. In Nazi Germany, the points that were seen on propagandas were often joining the military or that your political party was too strong to be conquered. He appointed Joseph Goebbels as head of propaganda. His main two tasks were to make sure there is nothing threatening or against the Nazi Party in form of a propaganda. His second task was to make sure the views of the Nazis were very persuasive. In order for these tasks to be completed the minister worked with SS and Gestapo and Albert Speer. SS and Gestapo helped perpetrate the threatening and damaging articles towards the Nazis. While Speer and the minister worked on the persuasive Nazi propagandas. Goebbels created the Reich Chamber of Commerce in 1933 to ensure that everyone followed the Nazis views.

Hitler came to power in January of 1933, but by May 1933 the Nazi party was strong and well supported enough to publicly demonstrate their beliefs.

The Nazis controlled the types of films released, only topics approved by Hitler were released to the public.

To ensure that everybody could hear Hitler speak, cheap radio sales were organized. Public places were ordered to play public speeches by Hitler

Alot of effort was put into propaganda for the Natzis because they did not have a majority of support amoungst the people.Those who supported the Nazis needed to be assured that their decision was a good decision. As well propaganda was used to convince those who opposed the Nazis.

Quotes:

"They had no qualms about stealing, but they needed to be told. They liked to be told, and Viktor Chemmel liked to be the teller."

(Death's narration, p. 274)

"There were the erased pages of Mein Kampf, gagging, suffocating under the paint as they turned."

(Death's narration, p. 237)

Interesting Facts:

Hitler assigned a specific man to be in charged of propaganda his name was Joseph Goebbels.

The radio was one of the biggest use of propaganda that Nazi Germany used. 70 percent of the German citizens owned a radio, they were programmed so that they didn't pick up foreign signals. Nazi Germany even had people broadcasting how bad the Jews were in the United States.

Kia & Paisley: Hitler Youth

Summary:

The Nazi Regime aimed a lot of propaganda and messages at the children of Germany. One of the most powerful ways they achieved this was through the Hitler Youth. 

The education system of Germany was influenced heavily by the Nazi Party. In 1933 The Nazi Regime got rid of any Jewish teachers or teachers with politically unacceptable views (Such as communism). Teachers glorified the Aryan Race or ‘Master’ race, while clearly discriminating ‘bastard’ races. Textbooks were rewritten with Hitler’s ideas in them.

Working alongside the education system, was the Hitler Youth and The League of German Girls. The Hitler youth started in 1926 to train young boys into becoming Storm Troopers. In 1936, it became mandatory for all children ages 10 to 17. The programs in the youth groups were designed to promote obedience and self-sacrifice for Germany. Some of the activities for boys included sports, drills, outdoor training, and camping trips. For girls, it included rhythmic gymnastics, skiing, camping, and homemaking skills that aimed to create strong German mothers. All of these activities made children sacrifice their individuality for the Aryan race. 

When boys reached 18, they were required to join the armed forces. In 1944, boys under the age of 16 and men over the age of 60 were required to fight because the allied armies had broken into Germany. During the allied occupation after the war, youth were required to go through a ‘de-nazification’ process to try and undo 12 years of Nazi brainwashing.

The Article reviewed

Facts:

• in 1936 the total number of boys and girls registered as Hitlers youth was 4 million 
• Balder von Shirach was the overseer of the Hitler Youth movement
• By 1938, attendance was barely 25%, thus making it nessecary to have an attendence law
• The HitlerYouth was known as Hitler Jugend                
• Hitlers Youth was 10-18 years of age and was separated in the organization by gender
• Girls had to be able to run 60 metres in 14 seconds, throw a ball 12 metres, complete a 2 hour march, swim 100 metres and know how to make a bed.
• Physical fitness was considered the most important thing in the Hitler Youth schools
• A picture of Hitler was hung in every class room
• Resource 1  Resource 2 Resource 3

Quotes from the Book Thief:

• "One click!" They were told. "That's all the fuhrer wants to hear. Everyone united. Everyone together as one!" - Page 268, Zusak
• She also realized it was most likely those sodden days at the Hitler Youth that fed his, and subsequently her own, desire for crime. - Page 270, Zusak
• His ear infections and nerve damage were still contorting the marching pattern at the Hitler youth, which, I can assure you, was not a positive thing - Page 268, Zusak

Zusak, Marcus. The Book Thief. New York: Knopf, 2005. Paperback.

Hitler, the orator (public speaker) By: Lishma and Athura

Hitler public speaking
Hitler public speaking 2


Summary:

In general there are two different kinds of public speaking that are used to get a response from an audience. One is a speaker who uses reasoning, and another is one who speaks from the heart. People who speak using reasoning get response from the parliament. People who speak from their heart get response from the people. Hitler was one of the few that used a different approach, the Führer used both approach according to the audience he was addressing. But his most effective technique was to use “cold logic”.

“Cold logic” was very effective in Hitler’s case because he was straight forward on his ideas and many others followed him.  Hitler’s body language was his advantage to brainwash people into thinking they are the superior race. He way he speaks is very promising and enthusiastic. He used a lot of patriotism in his speeches. Hitler was most concerned on uniting Germany as one by getting rid of the minority races. Purity was hitler’s aim. He believed it would strengthen Germany and and bring the nation together.

Interesting facts:


http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERhitler.htm

"Because hitler did well in primary school, he learned public speaking well.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERhitler.htm

"His favourite game was playing the role of a commando rescuing Boers from English concentration camps."

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERhitler.htm

"Rejecting the idea of fighting for Austria, Hitler volunteered for the German Army."

http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/Hitler--the-Third-Reich-II-322555.html

In 1925 Hitler’s book, "Mein Kampf", was published. The title that Hitler originally wanted for the book was “Four and a Half Years of Struggle Against Lies, Stupidity and Cowardice”.

In 1926 Hitler finally take back control of the Nazi Party.

Quotes

"Did they deserve any better, these people? How many had actively persecuted others, high on the scent of Hitler's gaze, repeating his sentences, his paragraphs, his opus? Was Rosa Hubermann responsible? The hider of a Jew? Or Hans? Did they all deserve to die? The children?"(The Book Thief, p. 375)

"Blood leaked from her nose and licked at her lips. Her eyes had blackened. Cuts had opened up and a series of wounds were rising to the surface of her skin. All from words. From Liesel's words." (The Book Thief, p. 253)

"There were the erased pages of Mein Kampf, gagging, suffocating under the paint as they turned." (The Book Thief, p. 237)

The Book Thief: Zusak, Markus. The Book Theif. United States of America, 2006. Print. 

Article:

Read More on the article

Mein Kampf - Abilash and Benett

Summary

Mein Kampf, or “My Struggle,” is a two part book written by the Nazi German leader himself, Adolf Hitler. The first volume came out in 1925, with the second coming out in 1926. The book became a widespread hit in Germany in around 1930.

The book is an autobiography of Adolf Hitler and it puts forth his socialist views as well as his hateful views of communists and Jews. It also pushed his beliefs of Aryan superiority. A censored English version was released in 1933 and in 1939 a direct English translation of the book was released. The book was considered the “Nazi Handbook,” as anyone looking to read/research the views of the Nazis and Hitler himself could take a read of Mein Kampf.

           Some book critics call the book, Mein Kampf, dangerous and too powerful and they oppose the allowance of the book being sold publicly. 
The book explicitly states, in multiple parts, Hitler's plans to exterminate Jews. 

For a more detailed summary, click here.

For another more detailed summary click here.

Quotes

In the book, The Book Thief, there are many instances where it talks about Mein Kampf and the un-humane views of Hitler…

“A blatant lie-he had nothing to do give, except maybe Mein Kampf, and there was no way he’d give such propaganda to a young German girl. That would be like the lamb handing a knife to the butcher.” – (Zusak, 221)

“There were the erased pages of Mein Kampf, gagging, suffocating under the paint as they turned.” – (Zusak, 237)

“Did they deserve any better, these people? How many had actively persecuted others, high on the scent of Hitler's gaze, repeating his sentences, his paragraphs, his opus? Was Rosa Hubermann responsible? The hider of a Jew? Or Hans? Did they all deserve to die? The children?” – (Zusak, 375)

Interesting Facts

• ·        Hitler did not in fact write Mein Kampf himself, he actually told the story of his life to a man named Rudolf Hess who wrote the book
• ·        The book’s name was originally named “Four Years of Struggle against Lies, Stupidity, and Cowardice”, but was too long and shrinked to “Mein Kampf”
• ·        “Mein Kampf” was published in 1925, and by 1945 he had made 7.6m Reichsmarks from the book but had 405,500 Reichsmarks of tax debt (about 6 Million Euros, today's money)
• ·        He was even able to purchase a Mercedes-Benz from the book earnings, while he was still in jail

Citations

 "Mein Kampf." Enotes.com. Enotes.com. Web. 03 May 2012. <http://www.enotes.com/mein-kampf-salem/mein-kampf>.

"Spartacus Educational." Spartacus Educational. Web. 03 May 2012. <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERmein.htm>.

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A Knopf, 2006. Trade paperback.

Fact Citations

BBC News. BBC, 17 Dec. 2004. Web. 03 May 2012. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4105683.stm>.

"Mein Kampf." Mein Kampf. Web. 03 May 2012. <http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/Mein-Kampf-229832.html>.