����ý

The Anschluss (the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938) was welcomed by many Austrians; they believe that Germany would rescue the county from high unemployment and poverty. But the Nazis also brought with them laws that discriminated against Austria’s Jewish population. Subak Sharpe was a child from a Jewish family, and he describes the discrimination that quickly grew. Like other Jewish children, he was sent by his family to find safety in Britain. He never saw them again.

This clip introduces the themes of anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. Students could discuss how welcome the Anschluss was in Austria. What evidence is there to support their views? The newsreel footage suggests this situation was popular, but students should consider where this media may have been sourced, who produced it and what their aim was. This could link well with classes on media studies and particularly the Nazis’ use of propaganda.