Holocaust Essay

“If we bear all this suffering and if there are still Jews left, when it is over, then Jews, instead of being doomed, will be held up as an example,” said Anne Frank (“Anne Frank quotes.”) The Holocaust was one of the most tragic yet eye-opening events in history. The time period from January 30, 1933 to May 8, 1945 was a great struggle for Jews, Germans, everyone. The Holocaust was one of the most influential events in history because millions of people died, it became a huge part of our school curriculum, and there are still survivors today talking about the events and experiences that occurred during this time.

First, Adolf Hitler led the great event known as the Holocaust. He was the leader of the Nazi Party, chancellor of Germany from 1933 – 1945, and served as a dictator from 1934 – 1945. Hitler had a challenging life. During his childhood his father and he did not get along, and his brother died at a young age. Hitler became very interested in politics while he was secluded from everyone. He was not an evil child. He went to church every Sunday and sang in the choir. He grew up just as any other kid would. Although unlike other children Hitler was furious at anyone who disagreed with him.

On January 20, 1933 he seized power and formed an army although it was against the German law. This army was made to capture those he chose and sends them to concentration camps where they would either be put to work or killed. His army would capture Jews, Poles, communists, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses and trade unionists. He killed about two-thirds of the population of Jews in Europe. Hitler did not visit the concentration camps he formed, nor did he ever talk about the killings. Hitler was afraid of being taken over by enemy troop ...

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...she grew older she began to understand the ways of the people and why they did what they did. She did admit that she had blocked some of the experiences out of her mind.

One particular part I loved the most about what she said is that we all need to forgive. She said that she had forgiven the doctors for experimenting on her, she had forgiven Hitler for killing all the Jews, and she had forgiven everyone. “Anger is a seed for war. Forgiveness is a seed for peace!” said Eva Kor (“CANDLES.”)

The Holocaust is and was very influential in history. It challenged their perspective on others and life. It was a fight to live everyday for those in concentration camps and those in hiding. It was a time when you had no choice of what to do, because if you didn’t do something you could have been killed. The Holocaust changed more than the past, but the present and the future.