State of Deception

The Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. The Nazis, who came to power in Germany in January 1933, believed that Germans were "racially superior" and that the Jews, deemed "inferior," were an alien threat to the so-called German racial community.

During the Holocaust, German authorities also targeted other groups for racial or biological reasons: Roma (Gypsies), people with disabilities, and some of the Slavic peoples (Poles,

Russians, and others). Other groups were persecuted on political, ideological, and behavioral

grounds, among them Communists, Socialists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and homosexuals.

Day 1 - Definition of the Holocaust

Read the definition of the HolocaustAnswer the following questions:

Who were the targeted groups?Who were the perpetrators?Was it supported by the government?

Do Now -

underline or highlight 3 words from the definition of propaganda that stand outWhy did you choose the words you did?

Propaganda Handout

You have the choice to believe a message or not by thinking critically about the message

Understanding context and what makes individuals

and societies vulnerable to propaganda helps us identify messages that may threaten our communities

Why is understanding Propaganda important?

Jews are to Blame for the War

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af44Slin7lg

Take notes on what you learn about Propaganda

Consider this –When analyzing propaganda, it is important to

understand the cultural context surrounding the piece. Propaganda doesn’t just work any time, any place, with any audience since it is designed for a specific purpose. There were reasons why propaganda was

effective and the ideas attractive when it was displayed.

Day 2 - State of Deception Exhibit

You will travel around the classroom at each station to investigate the pieces of propaganda before you

Fill out the corresponding sheets that go with it

Group Activity

Find an example of PropagandaIt can be positive or negativeCan bring in the picture or just the wordingMust meet the definition of Propaganda:

propaganda as biased information spread to shape public opinion and behavior.

Look within your environment – (Social Media, TV, Magazines)

Turn it into me tomorrow

Homework

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEEuTEDfFqc

Day 3 - Survivor Story

How did people communicate during this time period?

How are these means of communication similar and different than those commonly used today?

How do Bob’s anecdotes help students to relate to the broader history explored in State of Deception?

What does it reveal about the impact and pain of propaganda on young people in Nazi Germany?

Why can propaganda have such a powerful impact on youth?

Discussion

How is the message is communicated: How is color, line graphics, depictions of people, words, and symbols used in this example to communicate a message? What is the message? What is the importance of context: Given the hopes, fears, and grievances present in society at the time, why might this message have had power? Who is the intended audience: Who is the target audience? What about this message would be appealing to this group? What

reactions might difference audiences have had? Could people access and express alternative viewpoints? Ask questions about the propagandist: Who created this? What do they hope the audience would think, feel, and do? What impact does this message have on society: What were the consequences of this propaganda?

When Analyzing Propaganda ask these ?’s – Print this out and give them a copy

Find an example of PropagandaIt can be positive or negativeCan bring in the picture or just the wordingMust meet the definition of Propaganda:

propaganda as biased information spread to shape public opinion and behavior.

Look within your environment – (Social Media, TV, Magazines)

Turn it into me

Homework

Using your analysis questions I gave you yesterday, analyze the propaganda below

Day 4 – Do Now

Behind the enemy Powers – The Jew

What are some examples of Propaganda in your world today?

Today we are going to look at Modern Day Propaganda and analyze it using your analysis sheets

Homework - Modern Day Propaganda

Which propaganda example do you think is most problematic and why?

Are certain categories of propaganda more problematic than others?

Is propaganda always deceptive, or could the audience seek more information with some effort to consider the propaganda message more thoughtfully?

How can different audiences interpret messages differently?

Why are debate, dialogue, and opportunities to access or voice alternative points of view important?

What happens when debate is eliminated?

Discussion Questions

What can you do to combat negative Propaganda?

What can be accomplished through these actions?

What are the consequences of inaction?

What should be done?