Introducing KNOVA — A free reading app with curriculum-aligned passages on History & Science for Grades 3-8Learn More →

The Liberation of the Concentration Camps — Reading Comprehension

No ratings yet

Premium Resource

Grades

Rate this resource

Send Feedback / Report an Issue

About This Reader

This comprehensive world history reading passage examines the liberation of the concentration camps at the end of World War II. Students will learn about the history and human experiences behind the Holocaust, focusing on the events of 1945 as Allied forces freed prisoners from Nazi camps. The passage incorporates primary sources, cause-and-effect analysis, and vocabulary development aligned with the California History-Social Science Standards (CA HSS 10.8.5, RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.4). Students will also engage with multiple-choice questions, explanatory writing prompts, and graphic organizers. The resource includes a Spanish translation and audio read-aloud, supporting English Learners and diverse classrooms. By exploring the significance, impact, and legacy of liberation, students will connect this event to broader themes in world history, such as human rights and resistance to oppression.

CONTENT PREVIEW

"Buchenwald Children 06499" / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

During the final months of World War II, Allied soldiers entered Nazi-occupied territories and discovered concentration camps where millions of people had suffered and died. These concentration camps were established by the Nazi regime throughout Europe to imprison and systematically murder Jews, Roma, disabled people, and others considered enemies of the state. The liberation of the camps in 1945 revealed the full extent of the Holocaust and changed the world's understanding of human rights violations.

The first major concentration camp liberated by the Allies was Majdanek in Poland, freed by the Soviet Red Army in July 1944. As the Soviets advanced westward, they uncovered more camps, including Auschwitz, the largest and most infamous extermination camp. On January 27, 1945, Soviet forces entered Auschwitz and found about 7,000 survivors. Testimonies from survivors, such as Elie Wiesel, and photographs taken by soldiers provided primary sources that documented the horrors inside. American and British forces also liberated camps in Germany, such as Buchenwald, Dachau, and Bergen-Belsen, in the spring of 1945. In Buchenwald, American troops arrived on April 11, 1945, to find thousands of starving prisoners. They immediately provided medical care, food, and comfort, while also recording evidence for future war crimes trials.

The liberation of these camps was a turning point in world history. Survivors described the experience as both a relief and a shock. Many were too weak to celebrate, and some died even after being freed because of disease and starvation. Allied soldiers, deeply affected by what they saw, wrote accounts and took photographs as proof. The evidence collected became crucial for the Nuremberg Trials, where Nazi officials were prosecuted for crimes against humanity. The international community, horrified by the scale of the genocide, began to develop new laws and treaties to protect human rights and prevent future atrocities.

The liberation of the camps changed how the world viewed the Holocaust. It also forced people to confront the consequences of prejudice, propaganda, and unchecked power. Survivors shared their stories, helping future generations understand the dangers of discrimination and the importance of standing up for justice. The memory of these events continues to influence debates about human rights, international law, and the responsibility of nations to protect vulnerable groups.

The events of 1945 connect to broader world history themes, such as the struggle for human rights, the responsibilities of governments, and the consequences of war.

Interesting Fact: Some survivors of the camps went on to rebuild their lives and made important contributions in fields like science, literature, and human rights activism.

Which camp was liberated first?

MajdanekAuschwitzBuchenwaldDachau

Who liberated Auschwitz?

Soviet Red ArmyAmerican ArmyBritish ArmyFrench Army

When was Buchenwald liberated?

April 11, 1945January 27, 1945July 1944May 1945

What was a major effect of liberation?

Proof of Nazi crimesStart of the warMore camps builtEnd of World War I

What does 'genocide' mean?

Planned killing of a groupA type of governmentA battle tacticA medical cure

Why did soldiers take photos in camps?

To record evidenceFor funTo decorate campsTo send home