HistoryExtra podcast Simon Schama on the Holocaust
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Apr 6, 2025 Join historian Simon Schama, renowned for his captivating storytelling and deep insights, as he discusses his latest work on the Holocaust. He shares his powerful first impressions of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the shocking complicity across Europe, and the chilling indifference of citizens during the Nazi regime. Schama reflects on the incremental nature of evil and contrasts personal tales—including that of Anne Frank—with society's varied responses. He also highlights the importance of memory in preserving the truth and combating contemporary anti-Semitism.
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Witnessing Atrocities
- A Lithuanian boy was lifted onto his father's shoulders to witness a massacre.
- A woman kept a gold tooth pulled from a victim, highlighting the complicity and indifference.
Holocaust of Bullets
- The Holocaust of bullets, with mass shootings in Lithuania and other countries, preceded the extermination camps.
- This early violence solidified Nazi plans for extermination.
Dutch Complicity
- The Netherlands, initially tolerant, saw a decline in Jewish safety under Nazi occupation.
- Despite early resistance, a dot map pinpointing Jewish locations facilitated their capture.