The Holocaust: A Historical Overview
The Holocaust was a genocide during World War II in which millions of Jews and other people were killed by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1933: Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany.
- 1938: Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) - a wave of violence against Jews in Germany and Austria.
- 1941: Nazis begin mass killings of Jews in Eastern Europe.
- 1942: Wannsee Conference - Nazi leaders decide on the "Final Solution" to exterminate Jews.
- 1945: Allied forces liberate concentration camps; World War II ends.
Historical Background
The Holocaust was a complex and multifaceted event that was influenced by a variety of historical factors, including the rise of anti-Semitism, the economic and social upheaval of World War I, and the political and ideological climate of Nazi Germany.
Key Figures
The Holocaust involved a number of key figures, including Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring, and Heinrich Himmler, who played important roles in the planning and implementation of the genocide.