Syndrome K was a neurological illness "that began with convulsions and dementia and led to paralysis and death from asphyxia." This ailment, which terrified the Nazi soldiers occupying the city, reportedly saved anywhere from 20 to over 100 Jews who were destined for the Auschwitz concentration camp. But how was this possible during an epidemic of such a lethal sickness?
Finding Treasure in an Unlikely Place
Finding a new artifact to add to one's One-Place Study is something I think we can all agree is exciting! While some "One-Placers" may have an overabundance of civil records, church records, newspaper articles, letters, photographs, etc. at their disposal (depending on where and when they are located), others may have to dig a little deeper, look a little harder, to find even an ounce of information about their places.
Italian Jews Who Survived the Shoah: A Critical Analysis Using Elements of Thought
"In the vast majority of cases, Jews who survived the Holocaust in Italy did so in one (or more) of three ways: by blending in with the non-Jewish population; by fleeing over the border into Switzerland; or by taking refuge in private homes, church dormitories or convents, or medical institutions."
The Rise of Extremist Groups Following the Great Depression
The crash of the United States stock market on October 29, 1929 triggered a global depression in which extremist groups such as fascists and Nazis were allowed to thrive. Between the years of 1929 and 1933 prices would fall, output shrank, and unemployment soared as the world economy collapsed. The U.S. market lost two-thirds of its value, the British market one-fifth, and the German an astounding one-half.
A Brief Overview of World War II
World War II was unquestionably the largest and most significant armed conflict in human history. While it may have officially begun when Adolf Hitler's Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, roots of conflict stemmed from the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 and the resulting Treaty of Versailles.
Class Differences in Nineteenth Century Europe
While class differences have arguably always existed, the industrial revolution and urban development of the nineteenth century "made society less unified and more diverse" in Europe, widening the gap between the upper, middle, and lower classes.
Il Rinascimento
Following the Dark Ages, the Renaissance first flourished in Italy during the very beginnings of the Early Modern Age, in the 14th century, spreading throughout Europe and lasting through the 17th century. This “rebirth” is what launched mankind into the future, leading to all sorts of innovation, experimentation, and advancement.