The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) is pleased to announce its first annual White Rose Student Research Contest, open to 7th-12th grade students.

The 2020-2021 contest theme is:

PROPAGANDA

Propaganda is the utilization of a message to sway opinion – be that in the form of advertising a product or selling a political message. In 21^st century America, the word propaganda carries a connotation that makes us uneasy. We equate it with manipulation for negative purposes. Much of this perspective is born out of the propaganda from World War I and World War II.

During the Nazi period, propaganda was used for a variety of purposes ranging from electioneering to preparing the highly integrated German society to view their own neighbors as inferior beings worthy of exclusion and, eventually, annihilation.

Much of Nazi propaganda focused on amplifying and creating differences among those under Nazi control. Some propaganda promoted “Aryan” ideals and sought to win supporters by making people feel included in the racial community of Nazi Germany. Other examples aimed to highlight the perceived dangers posed by those the Nazis wished to exclude from society.

Using at least 3 of the documents provided below, plus a minimum of 2 outside resources, prepare a paper that addresses all parts of the following topic:

• RESEARCH: Analyze two examples of Nazi propaganda – one aimed at inclusion and the other aimed at exclusion. Describe the goals and methods of Nazi propaganda as seen in your examples. Be sure to discuss when they were produced and for what purpose. Who is being targeted for inclusion/exclusion?
   
• REFLECTION: American philosopher Eric Hoffer wrote, “Propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves.” What is Hoffer trying to express about human nature? Do you agree? Why or why not? 

DOCUMENTS

You must base your research on at least three of the following documents. All documents referenced from this list are considered electronic sources and the Works Cited page should clearly denote that they were referenced from the HHREC site. That citation can take any format chosen by the teacher.

• Defining the Enemy (make sure to click through all slides)
• Excerpts regarding propaganda from Mein Kampf
• The Poisonous Mushroom (click on thumbnails to read text)
• Antisemitic cartoons in Der Stürmer
• Public Humiliation – “I am a defiler of the race.” – 1935

 

• Hitler Youth Quotation Posters – 1940
• The Frauen Warte: 1935-1945
• The German Girl
• The German Boy
• Early Propaganda Posters
• Rallying the Nation

• “The Jews and the German People” – 1937 teaching material for 8th grade curriculum on “racial instruction”
• “When You See This Symbol…” – 1941 pamphlet
• “Germany Overcomes Jewry” – 1944 BDM Newsletter
• Voices of the Excluded

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR STUDENT RESEARCH 

 

• German Propaganda Archive
• Defining the Enemy
• Defining the Enemy (make sure to click through all slides)
• Nazi Propaganda
• Nazi Propaganda
• The Hitler Youth
• An Unfinished Film
• April 1933 Boycott of Jewish businesses
• State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda
• Indoctrinating Youth
• “Propaganda and Children During the Hitler Years”
• Der Ewige Jude

Primary Source Propaganda Material

• Excerpts regarding propaganda from Mein Kampf
• “The Jewish Problem” – 1939 a citizens handbook
• “The Jews In World Politics” – 1942
• “To Know the Jews is to Understand the Meaning of War” – 1944
• “The ‘Decent’ Jew” – 1939
• Review of The Eternal Jew
• Guidebook for Nazi Party Propagandists – 1927
• Guidebook for Nazi Party Propagandists – 1930
• Knowledge and Propaganda –  speech by Joseph Goebbels
• The Poisonous Mushroom (click on thumbnails to read text)
• The Will and the Way – by Joseph Goebbels
• Hitler Speaks to the Reichstag on the Jewish Question – January 30, 1939
• Der Untermesch – 1942
• Antisemitic cartoons in Der Stürmer
• Public Humiliation – “I am a defiler of the race.” – 1935
• “Ten Responses to Jewish Lackeys” – 1936
• “The Jews and the German People” – 1937 teaching material for 8th grade curriculum on “racial instruction”
• “When You See This Symbol…” – 1941 pamphlet
• “Behind the enemy powers: the Jew.” – circa 1942
• “Germany Overcomes Jewry” – 1944 BDM Newsletter

Testimony

• Testimony of Ilsa Cole
• Local Kansas City area survivors
• I Witness Testimony Archive – (requires teacher log-in and allowing access for students)
• USHMM Testimonies
• Voices of the Excluded

Images

• Nazi Propaganda Image Gallery 1
• Nazi Propaganda Image Gallery 2
• Der Stürmer Gallery

Videos

• European Antisemitism From Its Origins to the Holocaust
• The Eternal Jew
• A Film Unfinished – contains footage from the unfinished film “Das Ghetto”
• Jud Süss
• Goebbels Claims Jews Will Destroy Culture – 1935 Historical Film Footage
• Adam Czerniakow, chairman of the Jewish council in Warsaw – 1942 Historical Film Footage
• Theresienstadt – 1944 Historical Film Footage
• Dr. Jeffrey Herf – The Jewish Enemy: Nazi Propaganda during World War II and the Holocaust
• Dr. William Meinecke – Building the Racial State

Teaching Resources

• Curated collection of Propaganda Teaching Resources
• Echoes and Reflections Chapter 2
• USHMM Curated Lesson Plans
• Redefining How We Teach Propaganda

General Resources – Online

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Holocaust Encyclopedia
• The Holocaust: A Learning Site for Students
• Overview of the Holocaust
• The Path to Nazi Genocide – film by USHMM
• Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance
• Jewish Virtual Library
• Yad Vashem

Primary Source Materials – Online 

• MCHE Primary Source Links 

This list was originally compiled for White Rose Student Research Contest research. Most books and non-linked resources are available in the HHREC Library.

The list is not exhaustive and teachers are encouraged to help students find additional resources. HHREC urges caution when conducting open web-based searches for Holocaust research. Please require your students to link through trusted sites such as the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Yad Vashem.

ABOUT THE CONTEST

· Each participant is limited to one entry per year

· Projects will be evaluated on historical accuracy, development of content and theme, and original expression according to this rubric.

· All entries become property of the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center and will not be returned.

· Applicants give the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center permission to reprint entries.

· Decisions of the judges are final.

· Entries are accepted in three age divisions – 7-8th grade, 9-10th grade and 11-12th grade.

 

ELIGIBILITY

The White Rose Student Research Contest is open to 7^th – 12^th grade students.

PRIZES

· Finalists will be identified by a panel of Blue Ribbon judges and honored at a (virtual) reception in May or June.

· The top prize winner in each age level will be awarded a $300 prize.

· The sponsoring teacher of each first prize winner will be awarded a voucher worth $150 for use on professional development and/or Holocaust resources.

SPONSORS

The contest is sponsored by the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center and Anonymous Donor

DEADLINE

GOOGLE DOCS SUBMISSION DEADLINE: APRIL 7, 2021

 

RESEARCH PAPER REQUIREMENTS
 

The White Rose Student Research Contest accepts papers from students in grades 7-12. The following criteria apply to those students submitting papers to the contest.

PAPER REQUIREMENTS

· Evidence of comprehensive and accurate historical research

· Utilization and consistent citation of at least 3 of the designated documents and 2 additional resources

· Adherence to theme, demonstrating substantial supporting detail

· Proper citations – all citation styles are accepted, but citations must be consistent

· Papers must be free of plagiarism.

· Works Cited – Only sources cited in the body of the paper should appear on the Works Cited

· Maximum of 5 – 6 pages, 1” margin, double-spaced (exclusive of Works Cited page)

· Submission through Google Docs (one for each grade division) the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center – AVAILABLE February 1, 2021 – April 7, 2021

Works Cited

Your Works Cited must meet the following requirements:

· List all sources that you utilized in developing your entry.

· Separate your Works Cited into two sections: one for sources from the required set of documents and one for sources you found to supplement your research.

· Do not attach materials to your Works Cited.

SUBMISSION

· Entries must be submitted with a cover sheet including your name, school and grade.

· All entries should be submitted through Google Docs.

 

All entries become property of the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center and will not be returned. Applicants give the Holocaust & Human Rights Education permission to reprint entries. Decisions of the judges are final.

GUIDELINE FOR EDUCATORS

· HHREC encourages teachers to utilize this writing contest as a classroom exercise.

· Sponsoring teachers are limited to submitting no more than 10 papers per age division.

· Sponsoring teachers must email a list of participating students to HHREC by February 1, 2021.

· Educators may submit additional names via email until March 8, 2021.

· Educators must submit their finalist names and certify their participation through the entry form.

· Each paper should reflect the student’s own work, guided and reviewed, but not edited in detail by the sponsoring teacher.

· Entries must be submitted by the published deadline.

· Finalists and their sponsoring teacher will be recognized at a (virtual) reception in May or June.

· All entries become the property of the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center and will not be returned.

· Applicants give the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center permission to reprint the entries.

· Decisions of the judges are final.

The contest is named in memory of the White Rose, a resistance movement consisting of German university students. Among them were Hans and Sophie Scholl, along with several friends and their professor, were arrested and executed for distributing leaflets denouncing the policies of the Nazi regime. The project commemorates the efforts of these brave young people who gave their lives for what they believed in. May their memories inspire us to reflect upon our own responsibilities as citizens in a democratic nation.

White Rose Student Application Form

White Rose Assessment Rubric

White Rose Information Flyer

Questions? Contact Julie Scallero at jscallero@hhrecny.org or

Robin Schamberg at rschamberg@hhrecny.org