What is meant by the term “final solution”? How did the Nazis attempt genocide in the years 1941-1945?
The term “final solution” is used when referring to the extermination of the Jews. This occurred through various methods. Hitler’s once ludicrous dreams soon became reality when more severe actions were carried out against the Jews.
The invasion of Poland brought some 2 million Jews under Nazi control. This is when the situation began to change rapidly. At first, Jews were herded into concentrated areas, not only causing humiliation, but also to starve them. After being forced into heavily restricted ghettos, many Jews died due to being exposed to forced labour leading to starvation, disease and overwork. Ghettos were established in all major cities, all having a different quality of living for the inhabitants. In Warsaw, a particularly notorious ghetto, there was a policy of starvation and tens of thousands of Jews died before the deportations began. In Warsaw, underground shelters were built and arms were purchased. When the Nazis moved in for the final destruction of the ghetto, the rebelling Jews launched a massive attack. However, more Nazi troops intervened and although the Jewish resistance held out for several weeks, the Nazis overcame them eventually. This method was simply not effective enough for Hitler and so mobile killing units were devised.
