THE FINAL SOLUTION
Click on image for more on the Warsaw ghetto
When we look at the Holocaust as systematic process of dehumanization, we must recognize the ghettoization of European Jews as a step in that process and a stone in the path to the Final Solution. During WWII, the Nazi government established ghettos all over Europe, including over 1000 ghettos in Eastern Europe alone. The ghettos were seen as temporary measures used to control and isolate Jews while the Nazi adminsistration deliberated on how to best realize their goal of ridding the Reich of Jews. Because of the temporary nature of the ghettos, some lasted only days, while others lasted years. Conditions in ghettos were deplorable. Living conditions were cramped and crowded, food was in extremely short supply, disease was rampant, and many Jews perished in the ghettos as a result of the conditions. In late 1941, with the implementation of the "Final Solution", ghettos began to be dismantled and destroyed. Jews were systematically shot or deported to killing centers, forced labor camps, or concentration camps. For more information on ghettos click here.
Click on image for more on the Einsatzgruppen
Another important step towards the "Final Solution" was the establishement of the Einsatzgruppen, or mobile killing units. When the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, a special group of troops was assigned to follow the German Army and capture and execute all those that were seen as threats, including Jews, Roma and Sinti, Communists, and the mentally and physically disabled. The Einsaztgruppen captured and executed upwards of 1.5 million victims via shooting operations and mobile gassing vans. The operations ceased in early 1944 when the German Army evacuated the Soviet Union.
Jewish prisoners at the ramp at Auschwitz
Shortly after the invasion of the Soviet Union, Nazi officials drew up plans to systematically murder over 2 million Jews living in what was known as the Generalgouvernement (the remaining partioned parts of Poland that Germany gained as a result of the Nazi-Soviet NonAgression Pact) In order to achieve this goal, 3 killing centers were constructed to serve as assmbly line styled killing facilities. Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka II were opened up and eventually killed 1.7 million Jews residing in the ghettos throughout the Generalgouvernement. The Nazis did not stop there however. They constructed two more killing facilities to murder the Jews of all German occupied areas. Chelmno was constructed and almost 152,ooo Jews were gassed in gas vans, and Auschwitz II was responsible of the deaths of At least 960,000 Jews. Other victims included
approximately 74,000 Poles, 21,000 Roma, and 15,000 Soviet prisoners of war; and 10,000-15,000 members of other nationalities. As a result of the implementation of the "Final Solution" almost 6 million Jewish men, women, and children were murdered during the Holocaust. For more information on the Final Solution and for more links to killing centers click here.
approximately 74,000 Poles, 21,000 Roma, and 15,000 Soviet prisoners of war; and 10,000-15,000 members of other nationalities. As a result of the implementation of the "Final Solution" almost 6 million Jewish men, women, and children were murdered during the Holocaust. For more information on the Final Solution and for more links to killing centers click here.