Between the years 1941 and 1945, Therseinstadt, also know as "camp-ghetto" served as a transit camp for Czech Jews who were deported to concentration camps, killing camps, or forced-labor camps in major cities such as Poland, Belorussia, and the Baltic States.Thereseinstadt was a ghetto-labor camp to which the SS deported and then incarcerated certain German, Austrian, and Czech Jews, based on their age, disability due to past military service, or fame. The Germans, who wished to conceal their harsh dealings with the Jews published false media to convince people outside of the camps that the Jews were being treated well and were given jobs. The Jews however, were enslaved, abused, starved, and killed using many gruesome tactics.
When reports about the death camps began to emerge at the end of 1943, the Nazis decided to present Theresienstadt as an example of their camps to an investigative commission of the International Red Cross. In preparation for the Red Cross' visit more deportations to Auschwitz were carried out in order to reduce the overcrowding in the ghetto. Fake stores, a coffee house, bank, and schools were opened. Flower gardens were even planted throughout the ghetto. The commission arrived in the ghetto on June 23, 1944. After the visit the Nazis created a propaganda film about the life of the Jews at the camp. After finishing filming, most of the actors including most of the children in the ghetto, were sent to the gas chambers of Auschwitz.
When reports about the death camps began to emerge at the end of 1943, the Nazis decided to present Theresienstadt as an example of their camps to an investigative commission of the International Red Cross. In preparation for the Red Cross' visit more deportations to Auschwitz were carried out in order to reduce the overcrowding in the ghetto. Fake stores, a coffee house, bank, and schools were opened. Flower gardens were even planted throughout the ghetto. The commission arrived in the ghetto on June 23, 1944. After the visit the Nazis created a propaganda film about the life of the Jews at the camp. After finishing filming, most of the actors including most of the children in the ghetto, were sent to the gas chambers of Auschwitz.
Thereseinstadt served as a 'holding pen' for Jews who were to be deported to other concentration camps. The conditions of the camp were so unsanitary that it was believed that many of the Jews would end up dying at Thereseinstadt before the police could deport them to killing camps. Survivors however, were still deported to be killed.
Thereseinstadt was neither a ghetto or a concentration camp but it shared the qualities and characteristics of both. It was more like a settlement and source of propaganda that the Germans used to deceive outsiders. The Germans were aware that elderly Jews could not be sent to forced-labor camps without citizens of nearby cities hearing of it and objecting to the abuse, so Thereseinstadt was used to hide the nature of the deportation of Jews. Using media, the Germans referred to the camp as a 'spa-town' and a relaxing place for elderly, sick, or injured Jews to retire and enjoy themselves. To 'sell' the propaganda, the Germans built flower beds, coffe shops, and numerous entertainment, sceneries and structures to conceal the real nature of the camp. |
In June 1944, the Germans allowed the Red Cross to make an inspection of the camp and before they could arrive, the Germans performed a massive clean up and re-structure of the camp to make it into a false paradise in order to fool the Red Cross. Fake photographs were taken of Jews who appeared to be enjoying the 'pleasures' of Thereseinstadt and participating in numerous activities that were offered in this town of deception. Once the visit was over, the Germans resumed their routine deportation and abuse of Jews until October 1944.
Inside Thereseinstadt, 33,000 Jews were murdered, starved, or killed from disease. Of the 140,000 Jews that were transferred to Thereseinstadt, 90,000 were deported to points further east to be sent to death.
Although Thereseinstadt forced Jews to live among horrid conditions and constant threats, there was a highly developed cultural life within this camp. Famous Jewish artists from major cities often painted depictions of the harsh conditions of the camp and many writers developed literature and plays about the camp. The library in Therseinstadt contained 60,000 books of it's own.
15,000 children came though Thereseinstadt and attended school there even though they were forbidden to do so. The children, painted, drew, and wrote many forms of art and literature of their own to maintain a state of normalcy but 90% of these unfortunate children suffered death inside killing camps.
A film was produced by the German to be used as false propaganda and make people believe that Thereseinstadt was a happy place for Jews but shortly after the film was produced, many of the Jewish actors from the film were sent off to gas chambers never to expose the truth.
Inside Thereseinstadt, 33,000 Jews were murdered, starved, or killed from disease. Of the 140,000 Jews that were transferred to Thereseinstadt, 90,000 were deported to points further east to be sent to death.
Although Thereseinstadt forced Jews to live among horrid conditions and constant threats, there was a highly developed cultural life within this camp. Famous Jewish artists from major cities often painted depictions of the harsh conditions of the camp and many writers developed literature and plays about the camp. The library in Therseinstadt contained 60,000 books of it's own.
15,000 children came though Thereseinstadt and attended school there even though they were forbidden to do so. The children, painted, drew, and wrote many forms of art and literature of their own to maintain a state of normalcy but 90% of these unfortunate children suffered death inside killing camps.
A film was produced by the German to be used as false propaganda and make people believe that Thereseinstadt was a happy place for Jews but shortly after the film was produced, many of the Jewish actors from the film were sent off to gas chambers never to expose the truth.