Transcript The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - Ms. Logozzo

The Boy in the Striped
Pajamas
Bellwork
List everything you know (or think
you know) about World War II or
the Holocaust.
 After 5 minutes, stand and share
what you know with your
classmates.

Historical Fiction
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a
historical fiction novel set in Berlin,
Germany and Auschwitz Concentration
camp during the Holocaust of World War
II.
What’s historical?
The war, the concentration camp, the
Holocaust.
What’s fiction?
Bruno and his family, Shmuel his friend,
the house at the concentration camp.

Background Knowledge
Today, as we review some historical
facts, keep track of at least 5 facts
that you think will help you
understand The Boy in the Striped
Pajamas.
 List at least five important facts in
your journal.

Primary Sources


The images you will see today are called
primary sources. They were taken during
the World War II and the Holocaust, and
they provide a physical record of life
there.
These come from the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum website:

http://www.ushmm.org
The Rise of the National
Socialists
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
In the aftermath of Germany’s loss in World War I, the
Nazi Party preached a doctrine of anti-semitism and
promised to restore Germany to greatness.
Led by Adolf Hitler, the Nazis blamed the loss of World
War I and Germany’s economic troubles on Jews, whom
they believed were inferior to Aryans (non-Jewish people
of Northern European descent – blond haired, blue eyed.)
The text reads, “Hitler: Our last
hope. Therefore, come to us.”
Nazis take control

By 1933, the Nazis had gained enough power and support
that they could take control of the German government.
On Nov. 9, 1938, German anti-semitism culminated in a
series of riots in which 1,000 synagogues were burned and
Jewish businesses and homes were destroyed. This was
known as Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass.) The
Holocaust had begun.
The interior of Hechingen
synagogue after
Kristallnacht.
What is a Holocaust?

A holocaust is a mass “ethnic cleansing” (Hitler’s
words.) The Nazis attempted to eliminate all
Non-Aryans and other groups they considered to
be inferior to Aryans (homosexuals, Gypsies,
non-Jewish Polish citizens, Russian prisoners of
war, and political dissidents.)
A railcar used to transport people
to the concentration camps is
installed at the Holocaust Museum
in Washington, D.C.
Concentration Camps
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Jews and other “inferior” people were executed
using firing squads, gas chambers, and
starvation. Much of this happened at
concentration camps like Auschwitz.
Nazis placed these people on trains, sent them
to camps, and forced them to work, to starve,
and to die.
The bodies were disposed of using a
crematorium or a mass grave.
The Beginning of WWII
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

When the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, World War II
began.
Germany joined with Italy and Japan to form the Axis
Powers. They sought world domination.
World War II lasted until 1945, when the Axis Powers were
defeated by the Allies (United States, France, Brittain, and
Russia, among others.)
American and Soviet generals pose
on the banks of the Elbe River in
Germany. This was the first meeting
of Allied soldiers.
Write in Response

You will soon see several pictures of
the concentration camp at
Auschwitz. After looking at these
pictures, you will write for 10
minutes. Use this writing to ask
important questions, describe what
you see, or express how the pictures
make you feel.
The Jews’ uniform at
Auschwitz
The hat was worn by Karel Brumel. The
patch was his “registration number.”
The entrance to Auschwitz
“Arbeit Macht Frei” means “Work will make you free.”
Awaiting Selection
This Jewish man waits for “selection.” The guards at Auschwitz decided who was fit for work
and who would immediately be executed.
Children at Auschwitz
Children soon became separated from their parents and siblings.
Death March
Women and children walk to the gas chambers at Auschwitz.
The Door
This is an entrance to one of
the gas chambers at
Auschwitz.
Evidence
Bales of hair shaved from the heads of prisoners at Auschwitz,
and a massive pile of hairbrushes taken from the prisoners.
Liberated Prisoners
These inmates survived
Auschwitz and were rescued
by Allied soldiers.
What are you thinking?
In your journal, write for 10 minutes about the images that you
have seen. What are you thinking, questioning, or feeling?
What are your reactions?