Why: Explaining the Holocaust

The Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum will present an exhibit on the Holocaust, the Nazi program to eliminate the Jews of Europe during their reign over Germany from 1933 until their defeat by the Allies in 1945. Tens of thousands of camps were liberated by allied troops, and the horror and cruelty of the Nazi’s “Final Solution” was revealed to the world. Carrying out Hitler’s monstrous goals required the cooperation of countless members of the military, ordinary citizens, both German and those of occupied territories, and the governments, churches and journalists of many nationalities. Who were they and why did they participate? Who resisted and saved countless Jews from the camps? Why would this happen in 20th century Europe? The exhibit will cover the basic facts of the Holocaust: the timeline, persons, victims, and camps as well as commemorating those that risked their own lives to save others. It will cover the efforts of the…