On June 6, 1944, Allied forces invaded France and began to move through Europe, liberating concentration camps. By winter, it became clear that Germany would lose the war. In the aftermath, camp survivors faced resurgent anti-Semitism, the ravages of disease, and the disappearance of families and communities. Denied entrance to many countries, refugees began to call for the creation of a Jewish homeland.

You will be assigned topics that reflect the issues surrounding the aftermath of the Holocaust. Use what you have learned to write a Research Report in which you explore the personal, political, and historical legacies of the Holocaust. To prepare your report, you will research the liberation of concentration camps, survivor experiences, the Nuremberg Trials, and the establishment of the state of Israel.

Look at the photograph below. Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.

Gold wedding rings confiscated from prisoners at Buchenwald.

• Why do you think these wedding rings were confiscated?
• What does this photograph tell you about the scale of Nazi crimes against humanity?

Use the Daily Life through History articles listed on the right to research the aftermath of the Holocaust. Examine the Timeline. As you read, keep your assigned topic in mind. Remember that your report will need to include specific details from your readings.

Use the 4-Column Table to organize your information. Use column headings Camp Liberation, Survivor Challenges, Nuremberg Trials, and Establishment of Israel. In each column, write facts about the corresponding topic.

Write your report. Remember to address the difficulties encountered in survivors’ daily lives, and connect these factors to the establishment of a Jewish homeland. You should also address the historical significance of the trials at Nuremberg, in which war criminals were held accountable by the international community.

Your teacher will use these questions to assess your performance:

• Did you present a clear thesis?
• Did you ensure that the organization of your report was logical and coherent?
• Did you provide ample factual evidence for your statements?
• Did you follow rules of grammar and style?