A Surprising Way People Resisted Nazi Oppression During World War II
Historians often overlook the significance of Jewish resistance during the Second World War
The Holocaust was the world’s largest genocide in which millions of European Jews and other populations deemed “undesirable” were first ostracized and persecuted, then systematically killed.
From 30 January 1933 to 8 May 1945, approximately 5.8 million Jews were murdered, with Nazi Germany’s Third Reich increasing their efforts to annihilate European Jewry in 1941. Other groups, such as political opponents and gay people, were also brutally targeted.
When Europe was liberated from fascist rule and Holocaust survivors tried to piece together their lives, they were often accused of silence. In fact, many historians claimed Jewish passivity and silence in the wake of the tragedy. This myth of passivity persists, with students of history being taught that Jews were silent victims who did nothing to fight back.
Of course, any individual or group speaking out against Nazi brutality would have been a massive risk. However, there is ample evidence of Jewish resistance against Nazi rule.
Despite the many restrictions barring individuals and collective groups from engaging in opposition against the Nazi regime, courageous acts of resistance within…
