IV. Developing Vocabulary in a Facing History Classroom

Facing History and Ourselves believes that definitions are “works-in-progress.” Ourunderstanding of ideas is continually refined as we learn new information, often in col-laboration with others. As they study the past and reflect on experiences in the present,we encourage students to construct their own meaning of important concepts explored inthis unit. The “working definitions” provided in this glossary reflect how students mightbegin to define key terms in the context of studying Facing History and Ourselves:Holocaust and Human Behavior.

Introduction • 15

Strategies for helping students build their vocabulary

Journals: Students can use their journals as a place to keep their workingdefinitions of terms, noting how those definitions change as they learnmore about the past and the present. The back section of their journalscould be used as a place where students record, review, and revise theirworking definitions.

Word walls: A “word wall” is a large display in the classroom where themeanings of important ideas are displayed, using words and pictures. Newterms can be added to the word wall as needed. Students can update theideas on their word wall as they learn new information and develop adeeper understanding of key terms.

Visualizing vocabulary: Expressing concepts through an image, such asa drawing or symbol, often helps students comprehend and retain infor-mation. You might ask students to draw their definitions of key terms andshare their drawings with the class. Some of these drawings might beincluded on a word wall.

Glossary of Key Terms Related to a Study ofFacing History and Ourselves: Holocaust and Human Behavior

aliens — immigrants who are not citizensallies — the nations fighting against the Germans during World War II, including the

United States, the Soviet Union, and Britainantisemitism — hatred for Jews, often leading to discrimination against Jewish peopleArticle 48 — a section of the Weimar Republic’s constitution that allowed the President

to pass laws without the approval of the Reichstag (parliament) in times of crisisAryans — a made-up race of Nordic people whom the Nazis said invaded India many

centuries ago; the Nazis believed the Aryans were their direct ancestors and thatAryans are superior to people of other races

atrocities — crimesaudience — the person or people who receive a messageAuschwitz — a town in what is now southwest Poland; site of the biggest Nazi concen-

tration camp during World War IIauthority — the person or group of people in charge of a group, the leaderbelonging — being accepted, the feeling that you are part of a larger communityblind obedience — obeying orders without thinking about consequences of these actions

for yourself or othersbully — a person or group that tries to intimidate and overpower someone elsebureaucracy — the rules, structures, and regulations that control individuals’ work within

an organization, typically a large organization like a government officebureaucrat — a person working for an organization whose job requires following orders

and proceduresbystanders — a person or a group of people who see unacceptable behavior but do noth-

ing to stop itchancellor — leader of the Reichstag, the Weimar Republic’s parliamentchoosing to participate — the act of deciding to act in ways that benefit a larger commu-

nitycitizen — a person who is given special legal rights as a member of a nationcivic education — the preparation of citizens, training people for their role as members

of larger communitiescommunity — a group of people who share certain characteristics, such as proximity

(they live close to each other), beliefs, or backgroundsconcentration camps — places where “enemies of a state” are held against their will and

often forced to do heavy labor. In 1933, the Nazis opened their first concentrationcamp for people who disagreed with their ideas. Later, during World War II, theysent millions of Jews and other victims, including gypsies and homosexuals, to con-centration camps where most of them were killed, either by being murdered or as aresult of horrible living conditions.

conformity — when people act in the same ways and/or believe the same ideas as otherpeople in their group in order to feel a sense of belonging

consequences — the results of a person or group’s actions or behaviorsconstitution — a document which sets up the way a nation will govern itselfcontract — an agreementcrimes against humanity — planned and organized murder or other inhumane acts com-

mitted against a group of people

Introduction • 16

democracy — a form of government in which people have a voice in how they are gov-erned, such as by voting in elections

deportation — when a person or a group of people are removed, by force, from the placewhere they live

depression — a time when many workers are unemployed. Companies make less moneyand some may close. As a result, workers lose their jobs.

dictator — a person who has complete control of how a nation is governeddictatorship — a government ruled by a dictatordiscrimination — treating people differently, usually unfairly, because they belong to a

particular groupdissent — disagreeing with a person or a group of peopleemigration — moving from one’s native country in order to settle in anotherexclusion — when someone is not allowed membership in a groupexpectations/norms/rules — guidelines a group develops together and agrees to followextermination — to kill on a large scaleFacing History and Ourselves — a nonprofit organization that encourages students of

many different backgrounds to look at racism, prejudice and antisemitism in order topromote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry

fear — being scared of a person, place, thing, or ideaFinal Solution — the Nazi program of killing the Jews of Europe during World War IIfragility — being delicate or fragile; easily brokengenocide — acts committed with the intent to destroy an ethnic, racial, national, or reli-

gious groupGestapo — German police in Nazi Germanyghetto — during World War II in Europe, a section of a city in which all of the Jews

were required to livehead and heart — participating in an activity with both your mind (head) and your feel-

ings (heart)Heinrich Himmler — one of the most powerful Nazi politicians. He was head of the

Gestapo and also oversaw the Final Solution (the planned mass murder of Jews andothers deemed unfit).

President Paul von Hindenburg — President of the Weimar Republic (Germany) from1925 to 1934. He appointed Hitler to the position of Chancellor of the Reichstag(parliament).

historical context — the particular events, trends, and ideas that characterize a particulartime and place

Adolf Hitler — the Nazi dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945Holocaust — a period of 4 years (1941–1944) during which the Nazis organized and

carried out the murder of six million Jews, as well as millions of others such asJehovah’s Witnesses, Gypsies, and homosexuals

identity — how a person answers the question, “Who am I?” often including their inter-ests, beliefs, religion, family, ethnic background, etc. Identity is shaped by the indi-vidual and it is also influenced by society.

ideology — a set of beliefsinclusion — when someone is allowed to join a particular group or communityinflation — when money loses its value. During inflation, you need more money to buy

the same item (e.g., $3 to buy milk that used to cost $2).intermarriage — marriage between people of two different backgrounds; in this case,

marrying someone from a different religion, such as a Jew marrying a Protestantisolated — to be separated from the main group

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Jew — a person who is considered to be a member of the Jewish community because of ashared faith, history, or cultural background

judgment — the act of evaluating behavior (in terms of right and wrong), deciding whois responsible for this behavior, and determining rewards or punishments

justice — when one receives their deserved punishment or rewardKristallnacht — “the night of broken glass”; a night of organized street violence against

Jews in Germany and Austria (November 9–10, 1938)mass murder — the widespread murder of a large number of peoplemedia — different methods of communication (such as TV, Internet, magazines, newspa-

pers, etc.) that reach a wide audiencemembership — belonging to a groupmemorials — places to remember and honor special people or eventsmessage — an idea that a person or group tries to communicate to othermessenger — someone or something that distributes a messageNazi — a member of the Nazi political partyNazi Party — (the National Socialist German Workers’ Party) a political group (party)

founded in Germany in 1919. Its main leader was Adolf Hitler. The Nazi Party sup-ported the idea that only people of Aryan decent should be citizens of Germany andthat Jews, and others deemed unfit, should be removed from the country.

Nuremberg laws — a set of laws passed by the Nazis in 1935. The laws classified peopleas German if all four of their grandparents were of “German blood,” while peoplewere classified as Jews if they had three or four Jewish grandparents. A person withone or two Jewish grandparents was called a Mischling, a crossbreed. These laws werelater used to decide who would be deported to ghettos and concentration camps.

oath — a vow or promiseobedience — following rules, orders or commandsopportunism — taking advantage of a situation from which you might benefit without

considering (or disregarding) the consequences for othersostracism — excluding a person or group from the larger communityothers — people we define as different and separate from usparty platform — a document that lists the core beliefs of a political partypeer pressure — the idea that you need to act in a certain way to maintain a friendship

or be accepted in a social group; doing something or believing something justbecause that is what your friends are doing or believing

perpetrators — those who commit crimes and other acts of injustice or violencepersecution — being treated unfairly, often because of your beliefs or backgroundpolitical party — a group of people who share the same beliefs about how government

should be runprejudice — to pre-judge a person because of a group to which that person belongspropaganda — information spread for the purpose of influencing opinions, often for or

against a particular idea or group. To persuade an audience, propaganda often useslies, misleading information, or appeals to emotions rather than reason.

punishment — a penalty for bad or illegal behaviorrace — a classification of human beings based on the idea that people can be divided into

separate genetic groups often based on skin tone. This classification is often used tosupport a false belief that some groups of people are genetically superior to othergroups of people.

reflection — the process of thinking deeply about an idea or event, often personal innature (such as by thinking about your opinion or your experience with a topic)

Reichsmark — the German money used during the Weimar and Nazi eras

Introduction • 18

Reichstag — the German word for the building where laws are made, like our Capitol inWashington DC; also refers to the German legislature between 1871 and 1942 towhich members were elected (until 1933), just as Americans elect members toCongress

religion — a belief system based around spirituality and/or a divinityreparations — paying back those who suffered from a crimerescuers — people who attempt to save victims of violenceresettlement — when people leave their homes (often under force) and move elsewhereresistance — questioning authority or fighting back against unjust treatmentresisters — those who fight back against authorityresponsibility — one’s duty or obligationrestitution — making things better after a crime or injuryscapegoating — when a person or group is assigned blame for a larger problem or issueself-determination — the belief that every nation (or group of people) should have its

own independent state and not be ruled by othersstereotype — a generalization about an entire group of people; a belief that each member

of a particular group possesses the same characteristicsupremacy — to be (or deem oneself to be) above or superior to another person or groupsurvivors — people who have lived through an experience of violence or injusticesynagogue — a Jewish house of worshipTreaty of Versailles — the peace treaty signed in 1919 that ended World War I and made

clear Germany’s defeat. Germany was ordered to pay back the victors (primarilyFrance, Britain, and Russia) with money and land. Many Germans felt this wasunfair and humiliating.

Universe of Responsibility — how we define whom we are responsible for helping andprotecting

upstander — an individual, group, or nation who witnesses injustice and take steps tostop or prevent it

victims — people who have been abused and/or attacked, verbally and/or physicallyWeimar Republic — the regime in post–World War I Germany, from 1919 until 1934

when Adolf Hitler took power

Introduction • 19