Critical Thinking/Discussion Questions - Sara Slomovic Seidner

  1. Sara describes a “happy” life in a rural setting in Czechoslovakia before the annexation of her country by Hitler. Brainstorm a list of words you associate with “typical” or “normal” life.

Please use the links below to watch the historical film clips depicting prewar Jewish life in Czechoslovakia:

http://www.ushmm.org/online/film/display/detail.php?file_num=4252

http://www.ushmm.org/online/film/display/detail.php?file_num=835

After watching the clips and hearing Sara’s description of her life before the war at the start of her testimony, which clip seems most like Sara’s life? Using Sara’s testimony and both clips, what can you conclude about prewar Jewish life in Czechoslovakia? Are there aspects of everyday life depicted in the clips to which you relate?

 

  1. Hitler is able to take all of Czechoslovakia without firing a shot, and with the blessing of the international community. This policy towards Hitler was known as “Appeasement.” Use the link below to learn more about how this happened:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/higher/history/roadwar/appease/revision/1/

What was Appeasement? What was the rationale behind it?

Please use the links below to watch the film clips:

http://www.ushmm.org/online/film/display/detail.php?file_num=4269

http://www.ushmm.org/online/film/display/detail.php?file_num=2797

Did everyone agree with Appeasement? What was the result of the policy?