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Originally produced in: Polska
Also available in: en

Questionnaire

I. Map of major Nazi camps liberated in 1944 and 1945.

1. The following armies did not participate in the liberation of Nazi concentration camps:
a. Russian.
b. American.
c. Japan.
d. Italian.
e. English.

2. The largest Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated:
a. During the summer offensive of 1944.
b. During the winter offensive of 1945.
c. By Russians.
d. By Americans.
e. Was not liberated but liquidated by Germans.

3. The largest number of concentration camps were located in territories of (choose two answers):
a. Germany.
b. Russian.
c. Poland.
d. France.


II. Excerpt from the Polish Film Chronicle, 1945 – liquidation and liberation of the prison in Radogost.

1. Radogost was:
a. A Nazi death camp.
b. A Nazi severe prison.
c. A Nazi institute where experiments were conducted on humans.

2. To hide the traces of their crimes in the occupied territories, the retreating Germans:
a. Liquidated concentration camps and prisons by burning or destroying them.
b. Murdered the prisoners who survived not to leave witnesses.
c. Bribed prisoners to guarantee their silence.

3. Among the prisoners of Radogost until liberation survived:
a. All the prisoners who were freed by the Red Army.
b. Very few who survived the liquidation of prison by Nazis.
c. Half of prisoners spared by the Nazis because of German origins.


III. Excerpt from the memoir by Stanislaw Sterkowicz – a prisoner of Neuengamme concentration camp which was liberated in April 1945 by the British.

1. Neuengamme near Hamburg is:
a. An extermination camp designed only for Jews.
b. A labour camp gathering prisoners from all Europe occupied by Germans.
c. A camp for prisoners of war.

2. “Marches of death” meant (choose 2 answers):
a. Funeral marches held in tribute to Holocaust victims.
b. Evacuation of German forces property made by exhausted prisoners of the concentration camp.
c. Marches of prisoners from one camp to another in terrible conditions and under the Nazi terror (for example, not to allow for their liberation by the Allied armies).


Questions of synthesis

1. Search for 5-7 articles in the contemporary press related to the issue of Nazi crimes committed during World War II. Analyze the way and the purpose of contemporary politicians and journalists who take up the subject of the Nazis during the war. What motives dominate in public statements today? Is it worshiping the memory of the victims, the need for evaluation and punishment, or perhaps reconciliation between victims and executioners? Write a report (200-300 words) on "Memory and Reconciliation. Nazi crimes in contemporary public debate.".
2. Gather a few speeches, memoirs, and relations of former prisoners of Nazi concentration camps that were published in newspapers, the Internet, literature. Consider the impact of war experiences of victims of Nazism on their subsequent lot after the war.

Questions of synthesis

1. Search for 5-7 articles in the contemporary press related to the issue of Nazi crimes committed during World War II. Analyze the way and the purpose of contemporary politicians and journalists who take up the subject of the Nazis during the war. What motives dominate in public statements today? Is it worshiping the memory of the victims, the need for evaluation and punishment, or perhaps reconciliation between victims and executioners? Write a report (200-300 words) on "Memory and Reconciliation. Nazi crimes in contemporary public debate.".

The most important issues:

  • Discussion of the circumstances in which people return to the topic of Nazi crimes today.
  • Discussion of the aim of taking up this topic.
  • Indication of questionable elements of interpretation of the events connected with Nazi crimes among the various communities who takes up this issue.
  • Taking an attitude towards the importance of maintaining knowledge and memory of events related to Nazi activities during World War II.

2. Gather a few speeches, memoirs, and relations of former prisoners of Nazi concentration camps that were published in newspapers, the Internet, literature. Consider the impact of war experiences of victims of Nazism on their subsequent lot after the war.

The most important issues:

  • Citing the relations of camp survivors.
  • Analysing survivors’ relations related to events after liberation.
  • Drawing conclusions on the impact of experiences related to going through a camp on the lot of former prisoners.

Examples of separatisms which can be used by students: the problem of Ulster, Chechnya, Spain (Catalonia, Galicia, Basque Country).