Holocaust: The Real Hell

A man’s dilemma to rule over the world sparked a change all around the world, almost all of it being ungrateful. A talented Austrian painter, denied by the ‘Academy of Fine Arts (Vienna)’ was to become one of the most notorious leaders known to mankind. He was also believed to be a World War I German veteran. He was one of many who were mentally and physically wrecked by the aftermath of Germany following the end of World War I. With the collapse of the already limping economy of the Germans, the Nazi party, led by this notorious man with his party’s truly disturbing ideas, was unexpectedly supported by many citizens. Out of the many evil and cruel policies and ideas he shared, hatred towards the ‘Jews’ was one of the major reasons why the Nazis and especially their leader grew to power and control. This man who killed over 6 million innocent and unprecedented lives is infamously known as ‘Adolf Hitler’. Hitler, the leader that started the great worldwide massacre by attacking Poland, the man who, with his cruel ideas, tortured the Jews and wanted them wiped out of humanity, is the same leader that formed the ‘Holocaust’.

Holocaust

The word ‘Holocaust’ has its origins in Ancient Greek, meaning sacrifice. The base of this word has been used since ancient times, suggesting mass murder. Although, since World War II, it refers to the genocide of Jews. Therefore, the Holocaust defines the period or existence of the mass murder caused by Nazis. 

The genocide was done through several concentration camps and gas chambers, varying from person to person. Once captured, the Jews were taken by lousy trains to the camps. There, the person’s physicality and overall endurance were checked. The strong and physically capable ones were to go through the next stage, but the weak ones were put into gas chambers and killed mercilessly. The men were separated from the women and children. Their garments would be seized, their heads shaved, and they would be left with tattered and unkempt attire. 

The ones who were physically fit for work were to forget and banish their own names and work with what looked like a code number to identify and personify themselves. They were given bunk beds that had barely any covering from the rough wooden base. The straw-hash covering had several pathogens that were one of the major reasons for the unusual deaths of the weak Jews. Even in the tightest space of the bunk bed that was given to them, the Jews were often forced to share their beds with other fellow victims.

But to the Jews’ nightmare, the nasty and sophisticated bunk beds were not the only problems they had to face. In fact, this was the happy part. They had to wake up early just to work in mines, making new camps and other similar tasks that would only further cherish the Nazis' strength and dominance. They were to work up to 18 hours, followed by the extreme scarcity of nutrition they were given. 

The typical meal in the camp was little to no flavored watery soup, moldy and stained bread, and if exceptionally lucky, some cheese or meat. This appetite is not enough even for a person who does not do anything, let alone for those who work excessively for up to 18 long hours. Starvation was also a major cause of the consistent deaths of the Jews locked up in the camp.

Camps

There were several camps built by the Nazis. But the major camps were: Auschwitz concentration camp, Arbeitsdorf concentration camp, Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, Buchenwald concentration camp, Dachau concentration camp, Hinzert concentration camp, Majdanek concentration camp, Kaiserwald concentration camp, Warsaw concentration camp, and Flossenburg concentration camp.

These are one of the major camps that the genocide was done in. The most popular is the Auschwitz concentration camp. Mainly because it was considered the most brutal and ruthless of them all.

Why was it?

Approximately eight million Jews were killed ruthlessly in World War II. But, why? Did Jews cause harm to them in any way? Were they considered a criminal taboo in any way? No. There were two reasons why the Nazis’ believed the Jews were an inevitable taboo. First, the history. In Christianity, it is believed that Jews crucified Jesus and that their roots are too dirty for them to be an equal part of society. Second, being the privilege given to them. Before World War II, the Jews were particularly privileged in terms of occupation, chances, and hospitality. Causing the Germans, a slight disadvantage.

Bold victims

Coincidentally, the Jews are one of the most brilliant people in the world, having the likes of Albert Einstein to their name. Surprisingly, even the greatest scientist was not safe from the Nazis, as he was the top hunter for the German side. 

While Einstein took cover from the US, the same could not be said about another popular diarist, Anne Frank. She is popularly known for her diary, which is considered one of the best-selling books there is. Her personal experience and diary give us the idea of hundreds and thousands of others who hid from the Nazis to avoid the ruthless labor’s camp. The ‘Secret Annex’ is still in the spotlight as the popular museum it is and lives to be.

Breakthrough

The Soviet Union became too powerful for the German side following the suicide of Adolf Hitler. The Nazis surrendered, eventually freeing the ones that survived the treacherous camps. And finally, after all those years, the Jews had finally acquired freedom.

Grade: VIII, Modern Indian School