45 pages • 1 hour read
Johanna ReissA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussions of antisemitism and genocide.
The author’s Introduction provides historical context, detailing the rise of Hitler and his reign over much of Europe. After losing World War I, Germany was coerced into a peace settlement mandating that they not assemble an army. Adolf Hitler, an angry soldier, entered politics to revive his country. Glorifying German soldiers and vilifying Jews, his newly formed Nazi party gained popularity among discontented Germans, and Hitler became Germany’s chancellor in 1933. Despite the peace settlement, Hitler immediately rebuilt the army and promoted the idea that Jews were to blame for Germany’s woes and global evil. Antisemitism ran rampant, and the government soon mandated that Jews lose their jobs, their property, and, eventually, their lives.
All of this was in motion when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, to initiate World War II. England and France, along with Canada and Australia, immediately formed the Allied forces against Germany. Nevertheless, in 1940, Germany invaded much of northern Europe, capturing Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France and sending Jews to death camps across the continent. In 1941, Hitler’s army attacked both North Africa and Russia. At this juncture, Germany, Italy and Japan formed the Axis Powers.
Beauty
View Collection
Books on Justice & Injustice
View Collection
Brothers & Sisters
View Collection
Challenging Authority
View Collection
Childhood & Youth
View Collection
Coming-of-Age Journeys
View Collection
Community
View Collection
Equality
View Collection
Family
View Collection
Fate
View Collection
Friendship
View Collection
Good & Evil
View Collection
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
View Collection
Loyalty & Betrayal
View Collection
Mortality & Death
View Collection
Newbery Medal & Honor Books
View Collection
Power
View Collection
Safety & Danger
View Collection
War
View Collection
World War II
View Collection