Lesson 6: The Holocaust

How did government policies enable mass violence?
How does propaganda influence public attitudes and behavior?
How do societies respond to injustice and persecution?

Genocide
Persecution
Human rights

HIS.9-12.6 Analyze how power, authority, and governance influence historical outcomes.
HIS.9-12.5 Analyze how historical contexts shape perspectives and belief systems.

Students analyze informational texts and evaluate ethical arguments.

Students examine the Holocaust as a case study in genocide and evaluate how ideology, policy, and social conditions contributed to mass violence. Primary DOK level: 4.

Connections to modern human rights issues and international law.

Students may assume genocide occurs suddenly rather than through gradual escalation.

Structured reflection activities.
Primary source analysis supports.

Written reflection explaining how political systems enabled genocide.

Survivor testimonies, historical documents, museum resources.