Life In WW2 by Eve Penkert

We are delighted to share with you this history project written by Eve Penkert, a student of the Presentation Primary School.

             

Life in WW2

Life for Jews and others in Germany

During the Second World War, a lot of Germans suffered under Hitler's rule. Adolf believed that Germans were the superior race, also known as the Master race, but only pale-skinned and blue-eyed Germans would count.  Adolf considered Jews to be below him. During the years before WW2, many Jews would be doctors or another successful job. For that reason, Adolf wanted anyone who had power in Germany to go. That would include Jews, Romas (gypsies), teachers, politicians, and the list goes on.

Jews had to wear the Star of David and were forced to live in certain areas. A lot of Jews would be beaten in the streets or made to do ridiculous tasks as onlookers harassed them. These acts were known as pogroms. The other people I mentioned would suffer the same. One man Jumped from a burning building shouting he would rather die than be taken by German soldiers. 

Jews had been hated for quite a long time. In the 14th century, a large group of Jews was forced into a wood filled pit and burned alive.

Soon enough concentration camps were introduced; Jews were kicked from the homes and moved to the camps.

The German people who suffered

The regular Germans also suffered in many ways (Apart from rations and attacks). The SA would stand outside Jewish businesses, shops, and cafes. Anyone who tried to enter was stopped. Those who refused were marked with a stamp on their faces that read: We traitors bought at Jewish shops. 

People formed groups to help the Jews but were always outnumbered.

Germans with any of power suffered as much as Jews did, which was covered in the first paragraph.

The people in Ireland and England

Like most of the world, Ireland and England were also on Rations.

England was involved in the war on the Allies side. Ireland was neutral but still suffered, from a few bombings to prisoners of war camps and English children sent over for safety. During the Emergency, Belfast was bombed. 

With the rationing in Ireland, people were encouraged to grow their vegetables. 

In England, the main things rationed were bacon, sugar, tea, butter, and meat. When the men left for war, the women would work their jobs instead. Children would be evacuated to the countryside.

England did try to persuade Ireland to join them but failed. Almost every morning, the streets would be littered with bombshells and rubble.

The rest of the world would've been in the same boat.

Life after the war

After the war, the world didn't go back to normal. It took years to recoup all that was lost, from the people to the cities. Over five million lives were lost to the war. In Germany, a mass funeral was held for all the bodies found at Auschwitz. WW2, The Holocaust, and D-Day are major events held in History. 

 Thanks for Reading

by Eve Penkert