Open Aggression and World Responses
Consider the dilemmas faced by world leaders as Nazi Germany began taking aggressive action against neighboring countries and individuals in the late 1930s.
![Pedestrians in front of the demolished businesses of Jewish residents on Potsdamer St., Berlin. November 10, 1938.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_1938_PedestriansFrontDestroyedJewishBusinesses_FH223827.jpg?h=603532df&itok=ov-1rXgn)
Laws and the National Community
Students are introduced to the Nazis’ idea of a “national community” and examine how the Nazis used the Nuremberg Laws to define who belonged.
![In 1933, Jewish businessman Oskar Danker and his girlfriend, a Christian woman, were forced to carry signs discouraging Jewish-German integration. Intimate relationships between “true Germans” and Jews were outlawed by 1935.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_DiscouragingGermanJewishIntegration_FH229441.jpg?h=ad1846e1&itok=dfgQyzmm)
A War for Race and Space
Explore Germany's efforts to impose a new order on Europe based on Nazi racial ideology during the first two years of World War II.
![The Jewish population in Poland being "resettled" by German soldiers, circa 1940-41.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_1940_ResettlingPolishJewsInGermany_%20FH229688.jpg?h=b82ee7a4&itok=ZTl0ABqr)
The Power of Propaganda
Students analyze several examples of Nazi propaganda and consider how the Nazis used media to influence the thoughts, feelings, and actions of individual Germans.
![An issue of the antisemitic propaganda newspaper Der Stürmer (The Attacker) is posted on the sidewalk in Worms, Germany, in 1935. The headline above the case says, ""The Jews Are Our Misfortune.""](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_2016_NaziPropagandaNewspaper_FH229452.jpg?h=fb0bd1b2&itok=WOgfci3M)
The Holocaust
Confront the history of the Holocaust, and reflect on the human behavior revealed in the choices of perpetrators, bystanders, resisters, and rescuers.
![A memorial at Auschwitz of shoes taken from prisoners of the camp.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_AuschwitzShoeMemorial_%20FH229698.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=yasBC2Fw)
Understanding Universe of Obligation
Students are introduced to the concept of "universe of obligation" and prompted to illustrate circle of individuals who they feel a responsibility to care for and protect.
![Picture of universe of obligation drawn on a chalkboard.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/universe%20of%20obligation_2.jpg?h=c202cbf9&itok=OOQP5hk9)
Introducing Evidence Logs
In step 2 of the unit assessment, students start to gather evidence from historical sources that supports or challenges their initial thinking about the writing prompt.
![Two female students writing at their desk.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Two%20female%20students%20writing.jpg?h=b1a91ebe&itok=nXCXJ4i9)
Adding to Evidence Logs, 1 of 3
In step 3 of the unit assessment, students address the writing prompt in a journal reflection and start to evaluate the quality and relevance of the evidence they are gathering.
![Students writing on a paper.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/SL_190523_0789.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=u07iF1Je)
Adding to Evidence Logs, 2 of 3
In step 4 of the unit assessment, students review the documents and videos from Lessons 14-18 and consider which information supports, expands, or challenges their thinking about the writing prompt.
![Students write at their desks.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-07/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101681.jpeg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=pItuRsH2)
Adding to Evidence Logs, 3 of 3
In step 5 of the unit assessment, students reflect on the writing prompt in its entirety, add evidence from Lessons 19-21 to evidence logs, and engage in mini-debates about the writing topic.
![Students write at a table.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-07/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101326.jpg?h=2e5cdddf&itok=FdA96TZN)
Refining the Thesis and Finalizing Evidence Logs
In the final step of the unit assessment, students will think about unit as a whole as they answer the writing prompt and start to prepare to write a strong thesis statement for their essay.