Holocaust Effects On Jews During WWII

Over the course of WWII, many events took place that changed the way we now view militaries, combat, and humanity. Incidents such as the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Battle of D Day have all left significant impacts across the globe. Though all of these events are important in their own remark, the most consequential action committed during WWII was the Holocaust.

Following WWI, Germany was in total ruins. The Treaty of Versailles prohibited the country from producing weapons, growing their military, and keeping over sea colonies. They also had to take total blame for the war and pay 33 billion dollars (in todays currency value) towards reparations. Because of the large sum of money that had to be paid off, Germanys economy was demolished and its citizens were hopeless. Hitler, an Austrian born politician who later became the Fascist ruler of Germany, was able to take advantage during time of desperation to gain power. He made unfeasible promises to fellow Germans and stirred an extreme sense nationalism. One way he did this was by using Jews, Romas, Josiah’s witnesses, and people with mental/ physical disabilities as scapegoats to all of the economic and political issues the country faced. Hitler utilized rallies and propaganda, illustrating Jews to be sneaky, gross, and evil to heighten anti-Semitic feelings. His ability to create such hatred to another race showed the world how easy it can be to brainwash people using the media. 

Another effect that remains from the Holocaust was the huge population decrease of its targeted groups. It is approximated that nearly 6 million Jews were brutally murdered over the course of only 5 years. In Poland, Slovakia, Greece, and Lithuania, over 80 percent of the Jewish population perished. Nazis had many other targets in addition to Jewish people. 220,000- 500,000 Romani , 2,000-9,000 members of the LGBTQ+ community, and 200,000 disabled people were also killed. Because of this mass genocide, the population of these groups greatly decreased. 

Though the Holocaust was a horrific event, there were a few positive things that resulted from it. After WWII, the United Nations was created. This intergovernmental organization aims to promote peace, fellowship, and security between nations in hope of preventing future conflicts. The UN has saved refugees, provided food to 90 million people in need, and has authorized more than 70 peace keeping missions. The United Nations also created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in response to the inhumane crimes committed during the Holocaust. This body of articles is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world” and attempts to show the “the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” Though not legally binding, this his bill has heavily influential, having been signed by 150 countries.