Ghettos to Concentration Camps
GhettosGhettos were erected, sometimes overnight, by SS officers. They were used to contain Jewish population. In these cramped, desolate portions of cities, two or three families often shared a room and food had to be scavenged or stolen in order to survive. Disease was rampant in the impoverished quarters. Those who tried to escape were shot or incarcerated. (Residents of a ghetto stand in line for food in the picture above.)
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Concentration Camps Ghettos became mere holding pens, however. Concentration camps became a final destination, where millions were sent to die. They were separated from their families, given uniforms and identification labels. Though concentration camps were used to exterminate populations, they were also used for hard labor
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TransportationThe Nazis needed a way to transport people to concentration camps. In 1942 SS, Nazi Party, and German state officials met to coordinate the deportation of European Jews to killing centers in operation or under construction in Poland. They estimated that the "Final Solution" would involve the deportation and murder of 11 million Jews. Trains were the chosen means of mass transportation. Both freight and passenger cars were filled to maximum capacity, and those who resisted or attempted to escape were shot on sight.
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