Anti-semitism did not begin (or end) with Nazi Germany. In this activity, students will create a timeline that highlights the development of anti-semitism in Europe. This activity addresses the question that many students ask when they study the Holocaust: “Why did the Nazis single out the Jews?” The timeline should start with destruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE. Students should view the 13 minute documentary that the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum hosts on the history of anti-semitism in Europe.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
For an extended activity, students could create a similar timeline storyboard for other groups that have faced long-term persecution. Native Americans or Africans would provide a good focus for this kind of activity. This will allow them to see trends in history and connect different events.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the history of Anti-Semitism in Europe leading up to the Holocaust.