Passive Bystanders During The Holocaust

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The rise of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler’s leadership brought intense persecution for various groups, mostly targeting Jews due to anti-Semitic beliefs. As discriminatory policies increased throughout the 1930s, Jews were treated unfairly, or treated as a non-important person from society, limiting them from their rights and freedoms. With the outbreak of WWII, the persecution of Jews rose rapidly, leading to the establishment of concentration camps. These camps are the sites of imprisonment, forced labor and massive execution for not only Jews but also the targeted groups, including Romani people.

Passive bystanders are individuals who witness the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust, but they have no role in taking any action in it or to intervene or oppose the rules. They are characterized by a lack of action or response, restricted by various factors such as fear, social pressures or powerlessness. They have chosen not to speak out or offer help to Jews that are seeking refuge, as they feel unable to challenge the authority or influence of the perpetrators. Fear for their own safety from the …show more content…
These active individuals willingly participated in activities that supported the Nazi regime, often motivated by self-interest or a sense of responsibility. For instance, some actively report their co-workers and neighbors mistreating individuals due to their ethnic or religious background. Others seized opportunities for personal gain by obtaining Jewish businesses, homes or belongings at discounted prices. Moreover, teenagers and community members actively participate in harassment of Jewish individuals, making their social isolation and vulnerability worse. Civil servants and educators followed Nazi policies by helping to enforce discriminatory measures in their official
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