Holocaust History

Lesson 4: The Ghettos

Theresienstadt

During the war small bits of information about the extreme and horrific episodes perpetrated under the Third Reich reached an unbelieving world. The Nazis needed to answer the world's growing concern and yet they wanted to continue implementing their "solution" to the Jewish Question. The Nazis decided to use Theresienstadt to solve the growing outside pressure. Through deceit and subterfuge, the Nazis transformed Theresienstadt into a "model ghetto."

This ghetto was located in the Czech Republic, 37 miles north of Prague. Originally built as part of a fortress in the late 18th century by Joseph II, and named after his mother Maria Theresa. Theresienstadt literally means "town of Terezin." Known as Terezin by the Czechs. It was promoted by the Nazis as "The city Hitler built for the Jews."

At its height it held 53,000 people. It was originally designed to hold a maximum of 7,000 people. The small fortress was designated to hold political prisoners, while the large fortress was the Theresienstadt ghetto. Children were separated from their parents and only allowed to visit them once a week.

The purpose of Theresienstadt was three-fold:

1. To concentrate in a special camp those of "special merit" such as artists, who were useful.
2. To serve as a holding center prior to sending occupants to death camps.
3. Most important was to disguise from the world the murder of the Jews, by presenting a "model" settlement.

In 1943 the Germans allowed the Red Cross to visit Theresienstadt. Prior to the visit hundreds of prisoners were sent to Auschwitz to make space. A sham city was constructed with schools, a bank, a cafe, and flower gardens. A propaganda film, "The Furher Gives a City to the Jews" was shown to the Red Cross. The film showed how the Jews were living a new life under the protection of Hitler. After filming most of the "cast" were deported to Auschwitz.

Extensive cultural activities were part of ghetto life. Musical life in Theresienstadt was amazingly rich. Ghetto residents could attend or participate in many musical outlets. Most artists, composers, and musicians were sent to Theresienstadt.

Schools were prohibited, but classes were held in secret. Children were encouraged to color pictures of their ghetto life.

Statistics

• The population peaked at 53,004 in 1942
• 11,068 remained in the ghetto when the death camps stopped operating
• Before 1943 many people died of disease due to overcrowded conditions
• Between November 1941 and April 1945, 140,000 Jews were taken to Theresenstadt
• Of these 33,000 died, 88,000 were transported to death camps, and 19,000 survived

Theresienstadt was conceived as the "model" ghetto by the Nazis. It helped to deceive the world and "hide" Nazi atrocities. Although the conditions were better than in other ghettos, the primary purpose remained--as a holding place prior to transport for extermination.

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