Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Between 1938 and 1945, Nazi German dictator Adolf Hitler invaded many European countries with the goal of spreading Nazi ideology across the world, ultimately leading to the start of World War II (WWII). What were some of these core Nazi beliefs? Which countries did Nazi Germany invade? What were the effects of these invasions on non-German peoples?

Teaching Suggestion: This question orients students to the historical context of the text. Before reading, students may find it helpful to understand that one of the core beliefs of Hitler’s philosophy was the protection, preservation, and advancement of the “Aryan race,” which he believed to be pure and preferable to all the other races in the world. Using this philosophy as a pretext for a military invasion across Europe, Nazi Germany was able to acquire materials and land crucial for wartime, such as iron ore from Sweden, which fueled further territorial expansion. A combination of German military strength, skillful diplomacy, and surprise attacks resulted in the quick expansion of Nazi control throughout mainland Europe; between 1938 and 1944, Nazi Germany invaded 19 countries, including several partial invasions of UK territories and the Soviet Union (please see the first link for a full list of countries and descriptions).