Nazi Racism, from The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM)

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

High School (Grades 9-12)

120 Minutes (can be divided into multiple class periods)

Context & Purpose

Nazi ideology was racist. To critically analyze actions taken by Nazi Germany and its collaborators and to understand how and why the Holocaust happened, it is essential to understand the concept of racism, and, particularly, Nazi racial antisemitism.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this lesson, students understand: 

  • Definitions of race and racism
  • Nazi Germany’s use of pseudo-science to justify racism
  • Race is a cultural construct rather than a biological fact
  • How antisemitic and racist ideas and actions profoundly shaped the events of the Holocaust
  • How to recognize and think critically about racist ideas in society today

From the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Nazi Racism, from The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM)

Racism fueled Nazi ideology and politics. To critically analyze actions taken by Nazi Germany and its collaborators requires an understanding of the concept of racism in general and Nazi racial antisemitism in particular. This lesson was created for secondary level students, is multidisciplinary, and requires 120 minute.

Download Lesson Plan

Access additional materials and lesson plans on the USHMM website.