Holocaust: Nazi Genocide of Six Million Jews — Reading Comprehension

The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its allies during World War II. The Nazis, led by Adolf Hitler, believed in a racist ideology that viewed Jews as an enemy to be eliminated. The origins of this tragedy can be traced to deep-rooted antisemitism in Europe, as well as the political and economic instability in Germany after World War I. The Nazis blamed Jews for Germany’s problems, using propaganda to spread fear and hatred.

The Nazis’ rise to power in 1933 marked a turning point. They quickly passed laws that took away the rights of Jews, such as the Nuremberg Laws of 1935, which stripped Jews of citizenship and banned marriages between Jews and non-Jews. A Jewish man wrote in his diary, "Our rights vanish overnight. We are strangers in our own land." This quote shows how Nazi policy isolated and dehumanized Jewish people, making them targets for further violence.

As Nazi power expanded across Europe, their policies became more extreme. Jews were forced into ghettos, overcrowded urban areas with little food or medicine. These conditions led to disease and starvation. Others were sent to concentration camps and extermination camps, where millions were murdered through gas chambers, shootings, forced labor, or starvation. The Nazis also targeted other groups they considered "undesirable," such as Roma people, disabled individuals, and political opponents.

Many non-Jewish Europeans faced difficult decisions. Some, like the Danish resistance, helped Jews escape. Others collaborated with the Nazis or turned away in fear. This range of responses highlights the complex moral choices people faced. Some bystanders later explained their inaction by saying, “We were afraid for our own families.” Historians debate these perspectives, analyzing why more people did not resist.

The Holocaust ended in 1945 when Allied forces liberated the camps. Survivors faced enormous challenges rebuilding their lives. The world learned about the horrors through testimonies, photographs, and documents. In response, new international laws were created, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Holocaust led to global discussions about genocide—the deliberate destruction of a group—and how to prevent it in the future.

Studying the Holocaust raises important questions about human rights, the power of propaganda, and the dangers of prejudice. It reminds us that ordinary people can make choices that either contribute to injustice or prevent it. Remembering the Holocaust is essential for understanding the consequences of intolerance and for building a more just society.

Interesting Fact: The word “Holocaust” comes from a Greek word meaning “sacrifice by fire,” and is now used to describe the Nazi genocide of Jews and other groups.

When did Nazis come to power?

What did the Nuremberg Laws do?

How many Jews were killed?

Why did Nazis target Jews?

What does genocide mean?

What did some non-Jews do?

The Holocaust ended in 1945. True or false?

What is a ghetto?