3.5 Guilt, Responsibility and Punishment

This exercise contains photos of different people, some of whom were involved in the implementation of the Holocaust. By the end of this activity, you will have developed your ability to think critically and from different perspectives. You will also have reflected on how both the indifference of individuals and the choices they make can lead to horrific consequences. This will help you to understand the role of passive observers and the dangers of remaining silent.

What to do?

Look at one photo at a time and answer the questions that follow.

 

Task 1

1. Look at the photo and answer the questions.

  • 3.5-1.1a How old do you think he is?

  • 3.5-1.1b Which country do you think he’s from?

  • 3.5-1.1c What do you think his job is?

  • 3.5-1.1d What kind of personality do you think he has?

  • 3.5-1.1e What influence do you think this person has on others?

2. Look at the photo and answer the following questions, as well.

  • 3.5-1.2a How old do you think he is?

  • 3.5-1.2b Which country do you think he’s from?

  • 3.5-1.2c What do you think his job is?

  • 3.5-1.2d What kind of personality do you think he has?

  • 3.5-1.2e What influence do you think this person has on others?

3. Now reflect on your answers.

  • 3.5-1.3a What did you base your answers to these questions on? What helped you answer these questions?

  • 3.5-1.3b What questions do we have in mind when seeing someone for the first time?

Click to read the hidden information then answer the question

The first portrait is from an agency's portfolio: he’s a professional model. The second portrait is of Heinrich Himmler, both High Commander of the SS (Schutzstaffel, a Nazi paramilitary organisation in Germany during the Second World War) as well as head of the German police force.

  • 3.5-1.3c What influence do you think the man had on others knowing now who he was?

 

Task 2

1. Look at the photo and answer the questions.

  • 3.5-2.1a Who do you think these people are?

  • 3.5-2.1b Where do you think the photo was taken?

  • 3.5-2.1c Who do you think took the photo and why was it taken?

  • 3.5-2.1d How do you think they’re feeling?

2. Look at the photo and answer the questions.

  • 3.5-2.2a What do you think is happening?

  • 3.5-2.2b Where do you think the photo was taken?

  • 3.5-2.2c Who do you think took the photo and why was it taken?

  • 3.5-2.2d How do you think they’re feeling?

3. Look at the photo and answer the questions.

  • 3.5-2.3a What do you think is happening?

  • 3.5-2.3b Where do you think the photo was taken?

  • 3.5-2.3c Who do you think took the photo and why was it taken?

  • 3.5-2.3d How do you think the people are feeling?

4. Please reflect on your answers now.

Click to read the hidden information then answer the question

This photograph documents the humiliation of a religious Jew in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, which occurred in the autumn of 1939 in occupied Poland.

  • 3.5-2.4a The Holocaust took place before the very eyes of many passive observers: people who saw what was happening but did nothing to stop it. What responsibility did they have?

Next Section: 4. Reactions | Resistance | Rescue Actions
4.1 Newspapers' Report on the November Pogrom