Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

NJ Holocaust Grades 9-12 Curriculum: Unit 6

Unit Topic: Legacy and Memorialization 
Grade(s): 9-12

Unit Goal: Students will understand how liberation from the Holocaust marked both an end and a beginning, culminating in the need to rebuild, remember, ensure justice for survivors, and create systems to prevent human rights abuses in the future. Students will explore how memorialization efforts shape the collective memory of the Holocaust and foster an ongoing commitment to prevent such atrocities.

Objectives:

  1. Investigate how the Holocaust influenced the establishment of the UN Genocide Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, understanding their significance in promoting global standards for human dignity and preventing future genocides.
  2. Engage in discussions about the ethical responsibilities of individuals, communities, and nations in remembering the Holocaust, exploring how memory informs moral obligations in contemporary society.
  3. Explore the various ways that the Holocaust has been memorialized globally, including museums, monuments, literature, and public ceremonies, and analyze how these memorials shape collective memory.
  4. Examine historical instances of genocide and mass violence that have occurred, and discuss the ongoing challenges and responsibilities to prevent future atrocities.
  5. Research the phenomenon of Holocaust denial, examining its motivations and consequences, and discuss the importance of confronting misinformation through education and advocacy.

  1. How do personal, national, and global perspectives shape the ways the Holocaust is remembered and understood today?
  2. How do different forms of Holocaust memorials (museums, monuments, literature, etc.) influence our understanding of history and human rights?
  3. In what ways does the legacy of the Holocaust influence contemporary discussions about human rights and social justice?
  4. How have survivors' testimonies contributed to the understanding of the Holocaust, and why is it important to amplify their voices in memorialization efforts?
  5. What are the ethical considerations involved in representing the Holocaust in art, literature, and media, and how can these representations shape public memory?
  6. Why is it important to study and teach the truth about the Holocaust, and how does this help fight misinformation and hatred?

  1. Different groups interpret and memorialize the Holocaust in unique ways, reflecting their historical experiences and the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding its legacy.
  2. Effective memorialization acknowledges the multifaceted nature of the Holocaust, including the varying experiences of victims, perpetrators, and bystanders, and encourages critical reflection on historical context.
  3. Survivors' testimonies help make history real, fight misinformation, and remind us why it’s important to stand against hate. 
  4. Holocaust memorials, museums, literature, and testimonies are powerful tools that keep the memory of the Holocaust alive, shaping how future generations understand and engage with this history.
  5. The existence of Holocaust denial highlights the importance of historical scholarship and education in combating misinformation.

UN GENOCIDE CONVENTION AND UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

MEMORIALIZATION AND REMEMBRANCE 

NEVER AGAIN?

HOLOCAUST DENIAL AND REVISION

UNIT LITERATURE

UN GENOCIDE CONVENTION AND UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

MEMORIALIZATION AND REMEMBRANCE  

NEVER AGAIN? 

HOLOCAUST DENIAL AND REVISION

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

    CROSS-CURRICULAR TIES

    Media Literacy 

    Social Studies

    Psychology

    Art, Photography and Music

    World Languages - French

    • 6.1.12.CivicsHR.11.a: Assess the responses of the United States and other nations to the violation of human rights that occurred during the Holocaust and other genocides. 
    • 6.1.12.CivicsHR.11.b: Explain the reasons for the creation of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and evaluate the effectiveness of United Nations' human rights policies and the commitment of the United States to them.
    •  6.2.12.CivicsHR.4.a: Analyze the motivations, causes, and consequences of the genocides of Armenians, Ukrainians, Jews in the Holocaust and assess the responses by individuals, groups, and governments and analyze large-scale atrocities including 20th century massacres in China.
    • 6.2.12.CivicsPI.4.b: Assess government responses to incidents of ethnic cleansing and genocide.
    • 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.CivicsPI.5.a: Analyze the structure and goals of the United Nations and evaluate the organization’s ability to protect human rights, to mediate conflicts, and ensure peace.
    • 6.2.12.CivicsHR.5.a: Assess the progress of human and civil rights protections around the world since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
    • 6.2.12.HistoryCC.5.e: Assess the influence of television, the Internet, and other forms of electronic communication on the creation and diffusion of cultural and political information worldwide.