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Aktion (German - plural: Aktionen) was used by the Nazis to describe various large-scale operations, often violent or murderous, that involved the mass assembly, deportation, and extermination of Jewish populations, as well as other targeted groups. The term was deliberately clinical, disguising the brutal reality of these actions.  Example: The Nazis used the term Aktion for the mass deportations and killings associated with the liquidation of Jewish ghettos in occupied Europe. These Aktionen involved rounding up the Jewish inhabitants, often through brutal force and sending them to extermination camps like Auschwitz or to mass shooting sites.

Allies of World War II These were a coalition of nations that opposed the Axis powers (primarily Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan). The Allies formed the backbone of the resistance against the aggressive expansionism and fascist ideologies of the Axis, fighting on multiple fronts across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

Anschluss (German) refers to the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany on March 12, 1938. The term Anschluss means "connection" or "union" in German. It was a significant event in the lead-up to World War II, as it violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of St. Germain, both of which prohibited the union of Austria with Germany. The Anschluss was a result of political pressure, threats, and propaganda orchestrated by the Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler. The Austrian government, led by Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg, attempted to resist the annexation, but ultimately could not withstand the pressure from Germany. The annexation was met with jubilation by many Austrians who supported unification with Germany.  However, it also marked the beginning of Austria losing its independence and sovereignty, as it became a part of the Greater German Reich under Nazi control. After the Anschluss, the Nazis intensified their persecution of Jews in Austria. Jewish businesses were boycotted; Jews were subjected to violence and humiliation; and their property was confiscated.  Many Jews tried to flee Austria, but this became increasingly difficult as neighboring countries closed their borders. The Anschluss also marked the beginning of the systematic deportation of Austrian Jews to concentration camps. Thousands of Austrian Jews were arrested, deported, and murdered in camps such as Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Sobibor. Overall, the Anschluss had a devastating impact on the Jewish population of Austria, leading to widespread persecution, suffering, and loss of life.

Antisemitism often referred to as “the longest hatred,” is prejudice or discrimination against Jewish people. It can manifest in various ways, including stereotypes, discrimination, and violence. During the period of Nazi rule in Germany (1933-1945), antisemitism was systematically promoted by the state, leading to widespread discrimination, persecution, and ultimately, the genocide of six million Jews in the Holocaust. The roots of antisemitism in Germany and Europe are deep and stretch back centuries, but the Nazi regime took it to extreme levels, using propaganda, laws, and violence to target Jewish people. One of the key events that marked the intensification of antisemitic policies was Kristallnacht, or the "Night of Broken Glass," in November 1938. During this orchestrated pogrom, Nazis attacked and destroyed Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues, and arrested thousands of Jews. The culmination of Nazi antisemitism was the implementation of the "Final Solution," the systematic plan to exterminate the Jewish population of Europe. This resulted in the establishment of extermination camps such as Auschwitz, where millions of Jews were murdered in gas chambers. The Holocaust stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked hatred and discrimination. It is a critical part of history that must be remembered and studied to prevent such atrocities from happening again.

Appellplatz (German)  refers to the  roll-call square in the concentration and death camps, where prisoners were gathered daily to be counted and inspected by camp authorities.  Prisoners were required to assemble at the Appellplatz multiple times each day, often early in the morning and again in the evening, regardless of the weather. The process could last for hours, especially if the number of prisoners counted did not match official records. Any discrepancy could result in collective punishment or prolonged standing, sometimes lasting into the night.  Roll calls were physically and mentally grueling. Prisoners had to stand perfectly still, often in severe weather conditions (extreme cold, rain, or heat), while guards checked the count. If a prisoner collapsed or died during roll call, they were often left in place or forced to be carried by fellow inmates to keep the count accurate.  The Appellplatz was also the site of public punishments and executions. Prisoners who attempted to escape, violated camp rules, or were otherwise targeted by the SS guards were often executed in front of the assembled prisoners as a means of intimidation and control. Hangings or shootings in the Appellplatz were used to instill fear and demonstrate the consequences of disobedience.  The Appellplatz represents one of the many mechanisms of control and cruelty used by the Nazis in concentration and extermination camps, a place where routine dehumanization and death were part of the daily lives of those imprisoned.

"Aryan" historically referred to a people who spoke an Indo-European language and who migrated into the Indian subcontinent and parts of Europe.  However, in the context of racism and white supremacy, "Aryan" has been misappropriated to promote the idea of a superior race of Caucasians. This ideology was central to Nazi Germany's belief in a supposed "master race." Their aim was to avoid what they considered the “bastardization of the German race” and to preserve the purity of European blood.  It's crucial to understand that this notion of Aryan superiority is based on pseudoscience and has been thoroughly discredited.

The Axis Powers were the coalition of countries led by Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan who signed a pact in Berlin on September 27, 1940.  They were later joined by Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovakia. They opposed the Allies and sought to expand their territories through aggressive military conquest and the imposition of fascist and militaristic ideologies. The Axis Powers pursued campaigns of territorial expansion, totalitarian control, and, in the case of Nazi Germany, genocidal policies such as the Holocaust. 

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A bystander is someone who is present at an event or situation but is not directly involved in it.  In the context of the Holocaust, it refers to individuals, groups, or countries that were not directly involved in perpetrating the Holocaust but did little or nothing to stop it. Many countries, including the United States and many European nations, closed their borders to Jewish refugees fleeing persecution, effectively turning them away to face the horrors of the Holocaust.  Individuals and groups within Nazi-occupied territories, who did not actively resist or help Jews, also fall into the category of bystanders. This includes people who may have been aware of the atrocities being committed against Jews, but who chose to remain silent or look the other way. The concept of bystanders in the Holocaust raises important questions about moral responsibility and the duty to intervene in the face of injustice. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of indifference and the importance of standing up against discrimination and persecution.

Babi Yar is a ravine located near Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, which became the site of one of the largest mass murders during the Holocaust by Bullets. On September 29-30, 1941, Nazi German forces, with the help of local collaborators, systematically massacred nearly 34,000 Jews over the course of two days. This event marked one of the most notorious and brutal examples of the Einsatzgruppen's (mobile killing units) activities in the German-occupied Soviet Union.

The Beer Hall Putsch, also known as the Munich Putsch, was a failed coup d’etat attempt by the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, on November 8-9, 1923, in Munich, Germany. The aim of the Putsch was to overthrow the Weimar Republic and establish a right-wing authoritarian government in Germany. Although the Putsch itself was a failure, it marked the beginning of Hitler's journey from the fringes of German politics to the leader of the country. The lessons he learned from the failed coup influenced his future strategy, ultimately allowing him to manipulate the political system to become Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

Blitzkrieg, meaning "lightning war" in German, was a military strategy developed by Nazi Germany during World War II. It involved quick, concentrated attacks using a combination of speed, surprise, and overwhelming force to defeat the enemy swiftly and decisively. Blitzkrieg was designed to avoid the drawn-out trench warfare of World War I, aiming instead to deliver rapid victories before the enemy had a chance to organize an effective defense.  Blitzkrieg relied heavily on fast-moving mechanized forces, particularly tanks (Panzers) and motorized infantry. These units would advance quickly to penetrate enemy lines and encircle key positions before the enemy could react. The aim was to disrupt the enemy’s communications, supply lines, and command structure, causing confusion and paralysis. The German invasion of Poland in September 1939 is often seen as the first major demonstration of Blitzkrieg tactics. In just over a month, the Polish forces were overwhelmed by the rapid advance of German tanks and infantry, supported by air attacks. Poland fell quickly, with minimal resistance.