Anti-semitism did not begin (or end) with Nazi Germany. In this activity, students will create a timeline that highlights the development of anti-semitism in Europe. This activity addresses the question that many students ask when they study the Holocaust: “Why did the Nazis single out the Jews?” The timeline should start with destruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE. Students should view the 13 minute documentary that the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum hosts on the history of anti-semitism in Europe.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
For an extended activity, students could create a similar timeline storyboard for other groups that have faced long-term persecution. Native Americans or Africans would provide a good focus for this kind of activity. This will allow them to see trends in history and connect different events.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the history of Anti-Semitism in Europe leading up to the Holocaust.
Foster a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable exploring sensitive topics like anti-Semitism. Set clear ground rules for respectful dialogue, model empathy, and use guiding questions to help students reflect on historical events and their modern relevance.
Choose credible documentaries, books, and primary sources that match your students’ reading levels and maturity. Preview materials ahead of time to ensure they are suitable and align with your lesson goals.
Let students know they will encounter difficult and emotional history. Offer trigger warnings when needed, and provide time for students to ask questions or step out if they feel overwhelmed.
Encourage students to write journal entries, create artwork, or participate in small group discussions about what they’ve learned. Reflection helps students process complex topics and connect them to current events or personal experiences.
Guide students to see how patterns of prejudice and discrimination affect different groups throughout history. Relate timelines and case studies of anti-Semitism to other instances of injustice to build critical thinking and empathy.
A timeline activity involves students arranging key events chronologically to trace the development of anti-Semitism in Europe. This helps learners understand how attitudes and policies evolved over centuries, leading up to the Holocaust.
Students can create a timeline by identifying major historical events related to anti-Semitism, placing them in order, and adding brief descriptions and visuals. They can use digital tools, posters, or templates provided by the teacher.
Important events include the destruction of the Jewish temple in 70 CE, medieval laws restricting Jews, the Crusades, the Black Plague, the Protestant Reformation, the Dreyfus Affair, and the rise of pseudo-scientific racial theories in the 20th century.
The Nazis targeted Jewish people due to longstanding anti-Semitic beliefs and propaganda in Europe, which falsely blamed Jews for social, economic, and political problems. These attitudes were rooted in centuries of discrimination and legal restrictions.
Besides a traditional timeline, students can create a timeline poster for presentations or gallery walks, use digital storyboards, or compare timelines of other persecuted groups to encourage deeper understanding and engagement.