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THE STATISTICS OF THE HOLOCAUST

Rationale: Statistics is the term used to describe the gathering and organization of data. Statistics are the numbers that are a result of an event or action. These numbers help others to identify the cause, result, or consequences of events or actions. For example, at the end of a hockey game, there are many statistics available. These statistics include goals, assists, points, penalty minutes, among others. All of these statistics help to identify both the result of the contest and how that result was achieved. With regards to the Holocaust, there are a wide variety of statistics available which detail the consequences of this horrific event. Of these statistics, those detailing the loss of Jewish lives throughout Nazi-occupied Europe are the most revealing in terms of the horrifying reality of the Holocaust. The goal of this activity is to analyze the effects that the Holocaust had on the population of a variety of countries in Europe.

PART A - JEWISH POPULATION, 1933 In the table below, the general population and the percentage of the Jewish population is listed for each country. Using your knowledge of estimating and calculating percentages, complete this chart by determining the population of Jewish people in each of the countries listed. 1. Based on the statistics in the chart below, ESTIMATE which country you think will have the largest Jewish population? Why? COUNTRY GENERAL PERCENTAGE OF JEWISH POPULATION1 THE POPULATION POPULATION IN THAT WAS JEWISH2 1933 POLAND 31,578,947 9.5% U.S.S.R. 74,264,705 3.4% HUNGARY 8,725,490 5.1% GERMANY 67,666,670 0.75% FRANCE 41,667,660 0.6% ITALY 43,636,363 0.11% Show Your Work:

1 2

Population statistics derived from statistics from the United States Holocaust Museum. All statistics taken from the United States Holocaust Museum. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005161

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2. CALCULATE which country had the greatest Jewish population? Show your work.

3. CALCULATE which country had the smallest Jewish population? Show your work.

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PART B CHANGE IN JEWISH POPULATION, 1950

Although many Jewish citizens were killed in the Holocaust, there was still a large number who managed to escape from their country of origin to safer locations throughout the world. Therefore, the population of Jewish citizens in each of the countries listed changed drastically from 1933 to 1950. In the chart below, use your answers from Part A to fill in the first column (Jewish Population, 1933). Using the population from 1933 and 1950, determine the percentage by which the Jewish population changed. 1. Based on the statistics in the table below, which country experienced the greatest change in Jewish population? Why? COUNTRY JEWISH JEWISH Numerical Percentage POPULATION POPULATION Difference in Change In IN 1933 IN 1950 Jewish Jewish Population Population (1933 to (1933 to 1950) 1950) POLAND 45,000 U.S.S.R. 2,000,000 HUNGARY 190,000 GERMANY 37,000 FRANCE 225,000 ITALY 35,000 Show Your Work:

1. Which country featured the lowest survival rate for the Jewish population?

2. Which country featured the greatest survival rate for the Jewish population?

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PART C REFLECTION It is undeniable that for each of these countries, the decrease in the Jewish population throughout Europe resulted in dramatic societal changes. Imagine that you are the political leader of Poland immediately after the Second World War. Reflect upon the impact this loss of population is going to have on your country. You should consider all of the areas that are impacted by this decrease of population. For example, how will this change impact jobs, education, your nations reputation in the global community, and the overall future of your country? Compose a two or three paragraph first person account as Prime Minister of Poland as to how this population shift will directly impact your country.

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TEACHER RESOURCE: THE STATISTICS OF THE HOLOCAUST PART A JEWISH POPULATION, 1933

Which country do you think will have the largest Jewish population? Why? COUNTRY GENERAL POPULATION3 31,578,947 74,264,705 8,725,490 67,666,670 41,667,660 43,636,363 PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION THAT WAS JEWISH4 9.5% 3.4% 5.1% 0.75% 0.6% 0.11% JEWISH POPULATION IN 1933 3,000,000 2,525,000 445,000 507,500 250,006 48,000

POLAND U.S.S.R. HUNGARY GERMANY FRANCE ITALY

1. Which country had the greatest Jewish population? Poland. 2. Which country had the smallest Jewish population? Italy. PART B CHANGE IN JEWISH POPULATION, 1950 Which country do you think will experience the greatest change in Jewish population? Why? COUNTRY JEWISH POPULATION IN 1933 3,000,000 2,525,000 445,000 507,500 250,006 48,000 JEWISH POPULATION IN 1950 45,000 2,000,000 190,000 37,000 225,000 35,000 PERCENTAGE OF THE JEWISH POPULATION THAT SURVIVED 1.5% 79% 42% 7.3% 90% 73%

POLAND U.S.S.R. HUNGARY GERMANY FRANCE ITALY

1. Which country featured the lowest survival rate for the Jewish population?

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Poland. 2. Which country featured the greatest survival rate for the Jewish population? France

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