Hitler's Antisemitism

Activity Overview

The writings of Adolf Hitler provide insight into his antisemetic ideas that influenced his actions. Students will read a letter from Adolf Hitler to Adolf Gemlich and excerpts from Hitler's Mein Kampf to understand the roots and nature of Hitler's Antisemitism.

Grade Level

7-12

ELA Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies

RH1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

RH2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate, objective summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

RH9: Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.

WHST6: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source

WHST7: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Social Studies Framework

10.5d Nationalism and ideology played a significant role in shaping the period between the world wars.

SEL Benchmarks

3A: Consider individual and collective social, emotional, and physical safety and well-being, as well as social context in making decisions

Objectives

Students will understand the antisemetic ideas of Adolf Hitler by reading and analyzing primary sources.

Discussion Questions 

1. What arguments does Hitler present in his letter to justify his antisemitic views, and how do these arguments reflect his broader ideological beliefs that would later shape Nazi policies?
2. How does Hitler differentiate between “emotional” and “rational” anti-Semitism in his letter, and what does this distinction reveal about his approach to propaganda and political strategy?
3. In what ways does Hitler’s letter to Gemlich foreshadow the racial policies and actions of the Nazi regime during his rule?
4. What role does Hitler attribute to Jews in German society, and how does he propose to address what he perceives as the 'Jewish problem'?
5. How does Hitler’s portrayal of Jews in Mein Kampf reflect both traditional religious antisemitism and modern racial antisemitism, and how does he intertwine these perspectives to justify his ideology?
6. What rhetorical strategies does Hitler use to dehumanize Jewish people in his writing, and how might these strategies have influenced the perceptions and attitudes of his readers at the time?
7. How does Hitler’s depiction of Jews as both powerful manipulators and parasitic destroyers reveal contradictions within his ideological framework?
8. To what extent does Hitler’s claim of acting according to divine will serve as a means to legitimize his violent intentions, and how does this reflect his use of religious rhetoric for political purposes?
9. How did Hitler’s perception of Jews as a threat to racial purity shape Nazi policies regarding racial hygiene and the pursuit of a “racially pure” Aryan state?
10. How does the tone and language used in the letter compare to Hitler’s later public speeches and writings, such as Mein Kampf? What does this suggest about the evolution of his rhetoric?