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Section: How and why did the Holocaust happen?

How and why did the Holocaust happen?

Jewish men, women and children being rounded up for execution by German forces in Lithuania in 1942.

Jewish men, women and children being rounded up for execution by German forces in Lithuania in 1942.

Courtesy of The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

In 1941, the Nazis’ persecution of the Jews became a genocide . In just under four years, millions of people were deliberately murdered at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators. This mass murder became known as the Holocaust.

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How did the Holocaust happen?
Why did the Holocaust happen?
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Resistance, responses and collaboration

Resistance, responses and collaboration

What happened in January

<p>On 30 January 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor by President Hinderburg.</p>

On 30 January 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor by President Hinderburg.

<p>On 30 January 1939, Hitler announced 'the extermination of European Jewry' if war were to break out.</p>

On 30 January 1939, Hitler announced 'the extermination of European Jewry' if war were to break out.

<p>On 16 January 1942, the Nazis began the deportation of Jews and Roma from Łódź Ghetto to Chelmno extermination camp.</p>

On 16 January 1942, the Nazis began the deportation of Jews and Roma from Łódź Ghetto to Chelmno extermination camp.

<p>On 20 January 1942, Heydrich presented the ‘Final Solution of the Jewish Question' at Wannsee. Image courtesy of David Allthorpe.</p>

On 20 January 1942, Heydrich presented the ‘Final Solution of the Jewish Question' at Wannsee. Image courtesy of David Allthorpe.

<p>On 27 January 1945, Soviet troops liberated the Auschwitz camp. They found just 7,000 remaining prisoners.</p>

On 27 January 1945, Soviet troops liberated the Auschwitz camp. They found just 7,000 remaining prisoners.