Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

NJ Holocaust Grades 9-12 Curriculum: Unit 3

Unit Topic: The Nature of Genocide and the Path to Genocide
Grade(s): 9-12

Unit Goal: Students will be able to examine and understand a variety of reasons for the Nazi rise to power in Weimar Germany and for the initial acceptance by the German people.

Objectives:

  1. Students will examine the social, economic, and political effects of the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles.
  2. Students will understand the nature of communism and fascism as alternatives in the absence of democracy.
  3. Students will examine the basic concepts in Mein Kampf and analyze their appeal to segments of the German population in the 1930s and 1940s.
  4. Students will examine and understand the role of propaganda in influencing political and cultural thought.
  5. Students will be able to trace the circumstances and events leading to the Nazi rise to power and subsequent consolidation.

  1. What options were open to the German electorate in the wake of the failure of democracy?
  2. What was the appeal of the Nazi platform to various elements of the population and society?
  3. How did the Nazis manage to attain and retain power through the manipulation of the democratic process?

  1. People are often given choices that may prove to be difficult, especially in the political sphere.
  2. By examining past events, students may be able to predict or prevent various consequences.

  1. Britannica: Hitler’s Rise to Power 
  2. Benjamin Carter Hett The Death of Democracy: Hitler's Rise to Power and the Downfall of the Weimar Republic: Henry Holt and Co. (2018 ISBN 9781250162502)
  3. National WWII Museum: How Did Adolf Hitler Happen? 

Unit may consist of one day to one week (teacher choice, see resources provided) and may include classroom instruction and independent research/ reading/ viewing. 

  1. Students will examine the rise of the Nazi Party through a variety of classroom-based and independent activities. These may include the resources provided below and should encompass the following topics:
  2. The effect of WWI and the Treaty of Versailles on Weimar Germany.
  3. The choice between communism and fascism when democracy breaks down or is not an option.
  4. The political, cultural, social, and economic conditions which allowed for the rise of the Nazi Party to power in Germany.
  5. The appeal of some of the ideas contained in Mein Kampf to a variety of people in Germany.
  6. The effect of propaganda on shaping opinions and gaining support.

Communism vs Fascism Comparison

USHMM Encyclopedia MEIN KAMPF

Treaty of Versailles Slideshare (Linked In)

Assessments:

A variety of assessments may include:

Unit test, written reflections, short projects, participation grade, completion of suggested activities.

Echoes and Reflections Lesson plans and resource guide- Nazi Germany

Treaty of Versailles SlideShare (via LinkedIn)

USHMM Film: The Path to Nazi Genocide (in parts or full film-28 minutes)

USHMM website- The Holocaust: A Learning Site for Students ( 9 articles)

Facing History and Ourselves - The Rise of the Nazi Party (Lesson #9)

Facing History and Ourselves - On-Demand Webinar: teaching the Rise of the Nazis Through Images

Governments around the world support universal human rights to varying degrees. 

6.2.12.CivicsPI.4.b: Assess government responses to incidents of ethnic cleansing and genocide

Historical events and developments were shaped by the unique circumstances of time and place as well as broader historical contexts. 

 6.2.12.HistoryCC.4.g: Use a variety of resources from different perspectives to analyze the role of racial bias, nationalism, and propaganda in mobilizing civilian populations in support of “total war.” 

Complex interacting factors influence people’s perspective 

6.2.12.HistoryUP.4.b: Report on the influence of war, economic depression, and genocide on the arts, cultural values, and social ideas. 

6.2.12.HistoryUP.4.c: Compare and contrast the actions of individuals as perpetrators, bystanders, and rescuers during events of persecution or genocide, and describe the long-term consequences of genocide for all involved.

6.2.12.CivicsHR.6.a: Evaluate the effectiveness of responses by governments and international organizations to tensions resulting from ethnic, territorial, religious, and/or nationalist differences.

 6.2.12.HistoryCC.4.g: Use a variety of resources from different perspectives to analyze the role of racial bias, nationalism, and propaganda in mobilizing civilian populations in support of “total war.”