Jewish life in Europe before WW2
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the diversity of Europe's Jewish population by the 1930s.
Key learning points
- Jewish communities had existed in Europe since the Classical age.
- Most European Jews lived in Central and Eastern Europe.
- Levels of assimilation differed across Jewish communities.
- Factors other than religion, including family, age and wealth, also had a significant influence on Jewish lives.
Keywords
Persecution - to treat someone unfairly or cruelly because of their race, religion or beliefs
Pogrom - an act of organised cruel behaviour or killing that is done to a large group because of their race or religion
Emancipation - to give people more freedom or rights by removing social, legal or political controls that limit them
Assimilate - to become part of a group, country or society
Mosaic faith - an alternative way of referring to Judaism
Common misconception
Shared Jewish heritage meant that all European Jews lived similar lives.
Jews made individuals choices and were affected by factors such as wealth which led to the Jewish population living many different types of lives.
Teacher tip
Task C can be enhanced with other sources to explore individual case studies of Jewish life. One interesting example is Rudi Bamberg's oral account of his childhood in Germany in the 1920s and 30s, available through the website of a popular museum which focuses on war.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. A is a person or group who works together with others for a particular purpose.
Q2.What name is more commonly used for the genocide which some groups call the Shoah?
Q3.How many Jews were murdered during the Holocaust?
Q4.Where did the Holocaust occur?
Q5.What is someone who has committed a crime or a violent or harmful act known as?
Q6.Which of the following groups did the Nazis regard as their mortal enemies?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. To is to become part of a group, country or society.
Q2.During which period did Jewish communities begin living in Europe?
Q3.Which country had not emancipated its Jewish population by 1900?
Q4.Where did most European Jews live?
Q5.Which statement is most accurate?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: Jewish life in Europe before WW2, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: Jewish life in Europe before WW2, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Holocaust: what was the Holocaust? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.