This text is a resource for teaching and learning about the key aspects of the Nazi's persecution of Jews and other groups before and during World War II. The book never lets go of the period's story, providing opportunities to examine how different factors contributed to atrocities on a massive scale. Pupils are encouraged to examine why the list of people hated by the Nazis included Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, the mentally ill, black people, communists, Poles, Russians, Christians and so on; why the Nazis expected a healthy prisoner in their camps to live for only three months; and why the sick, old and the very young were killed immediately. Readers also investigate how only 1000 Jews of the Warsaw ghetto formed an army and managed to fight back against the Germans - with only ten rifles between them! They are also asked to think about what the Holocaust represents for people today and how it impacts on all of our lives. Features of the book include a coverage of all topics necessary for Key Stage 3 history; active investigations that link together to answer big historical questions; webs that show the connections between historical factors; the human stories from history; and meaningful tasks that encourage joined up thinking and extended writing.

Author Biography

Neil DeMarco is Head of History at Chesham High School, Buckinghamshire, and is a well-known author of History textbooks.