World War Two Pictures – Photographs of History

World War Two pictures are a valuable resource for anyone who's interested in truly understanding what took place during this historic period. Photographs exist from nearly every country who participated in the war. Looking at the pictures from various entities offers many different viewpoints of what was happening. When you examine these pictures in the proper light, the evidence of the photos alone can tell a very compelling story. Here are some important questions to ask yourself as you're looking at World War Two pictures to help you get to the bottom of every story.

• Who took the picture? Ask yourself who is standing directly behind the camera. Is it an American fighter pilot, an SS officer, a Jewish mother, or an innocent bystander? Looking at where the photo came from will give you many clues. Pictures from a personal album were likely taken by the owner of the album or a close friend. Pictures for propaganda may have been taken by professional photographers.
• What was the purpose of the picture? This is especially important when you're examining war photos. Some pictures are not as reliable as others. Consider that the photo may have been staged in some way if it was advantageous to the person behind the camera. Nazi photos of Jewish ghettos and concentration camps are not always accurate depictions. Pictures taken by the Allies for the purpose of documenting what happened in the death and labor camps are more reliable.
• Do the subjects know they're being photographed? This is an interesting question to consider with any photo that you're looking at. When the subjects don't know they're being photographed, they're often caught in private or personal moments. You may be able to see facial expressions that tell what they're truly thinking. Posed photos are more likely to offer only what the subjects want you to see.
• When was the picture taken? Though this can't always be determined, placing the time of the picture will help you build an accurate timeline around what was taking place during World War II. Try looking at photos in chronological order to see how the war progressed.

If you don't enjoy dry reading and prefer visual stimulation, World War Two pictures have a lot to offer. This war was very heavily documented so there are lots of pictures to explore. It's possible to look back through the lens of time with these photographs.

World War Two Movies – Classic Selections for WWII Movies

World War Two movies abound in Hollywood, with a wide range of different portrayals. While documentaries and other factual historic compilations are sure to offer a more thorough understanding of the war, these films can be used for a broad imagining of what the war was like. Films like these are able to bring the war to life in a way that other accounts simply cannot. While it's true that writers and directors are forced to imagine the exact dialogues, a great deal of attention to detail and historical accuracies have been included in these films to make them as realistic as possible.

"Patton" is a classic World War Two film. Released in 1970, this movie tells the story of General George S. Patton. Patton serves as a tank commander in WWII. The film follows him through North Africa and into Europe, culminating in the fall of the Third Reich. This tale focuses on the personal life of Patton, while offering a glimpse into the bigger historical picture of the war. "Patton" won both "Best Picture" and "Best Actor." George C. Scott, who played Patton, was frequently complimented for his pitch perfect portrayal of the controversial general. Based on true life characters and events, "Patton" has a great deal of historical accuracy.

"Pearl Harbor," released in 2001, is both a war story and a love story. It follows two childhood friends through their time in the Army Air Corps during World War II. The bombing of Pearl Harbor, appropriately, plays a central role in this film. This is a great choice of World War Two movies because it shows a monumental part of the war from a very human standpoint. For viewers who want a sentimental element to compliment the harsh realities of war and extended battle scenes, this is a good choice. While the characters may not be historically accurate, the tale is touching just the same.

Another classic World War Two film that belongs in any collection of stunning movies about this period is "Saving Private Ryan." This movie takes place just after the invasion of Normandy. The story follows US Army Rangers Captain John H. Miller and his soldiers as they undertake a mission to retrieve Private Ryan. Ryan is the last surviving brother of four who have served in the military. The mission portrayed in this story is the Army's final attempt to bring some comfort to a grieving mother who has lost nearly all her children. The story is based loosely on the story of the Niland brothers.

Germany Holocaust – The Holocaust for German Jews

Though the horrors of the Holocaust would eventually travel throughout much of Europe, they began in Germany where Hitler was dictator and the Nazi party ruled. It was only after other countries were invaded by Germany that the Holocaust was able to spread. German Jews felt the persecution of Hitler's regime almost immediately. Many were fortunate enough to see what was coming and find ways to escape. There were approximately 522,000 Jews in Germany when Hitler took power in 1933. By 1939, about 304,000 of these Jews emigrated in an attempt to escape Nazi rule. Just 214,000 Jews were left.

 

Those Jews who remained in Germany were subjected to increasingly stringent laws. Here's a brief timeline of the persecution of Jews in Germany:

• 1933 – The "Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service" excludes Jews from state service. Civilian Jewish workers are fired from the Army. Jews are further excluded from many legal and medical positions. The number of Jewish students at schools and universities is restricted.
• 1943 – Jewish actors are prohibited from appearing on stage or screen.
• 1935 – The "Nuremberg Laws" are passed which strip Jews of German citizenship and prohibit them from marrying non-Jewish people. Jews cannot vote or hold public office. Jewish officers are expelled from the Army and Jewish soldiers cannot be listed among the dead on WWI memorials.
• 1937 – Jews are banned from working as dentists and accountants. Jewish teachers may not teach non-Jews. Tax deductions and child allowances are stripped from Jewish families.
• 1938 – Jews are required to register all wealth, property, and businesses. Jewish men are required to add Israel to their names, and women must add Sarah on all legal documents. Passports of Jews are stamped with a red "J." Jewish students are expelled from non-Jewish schools.
• 1939 – Jews are forced to surrender all silver and gold possessions. Jewish families are prohibited from being tenants with Aryan landlords. A curfew is enacted for all Jews in Germany.

In 1941, the Nazis began to systematically deport German Jews to Nazi-occupied Poland. Jews were sent to Warsaw, Lodz, and transit ghettos like Izbica and Piaski. Many were ultimately transported to the extermination camps of Treblinka, Belzec, and Chelmno. What began as discrimination eventually escalated to organized extermination of the Jewish population. By 1934, Germany had less than 20,000 Jews left. Those who survived often had to live in hiding. Very few were considered exempt from the Nazi extermination efforts.