Auschwitz | Simon Schama: The Holocaust, 80 Years On

This learning resource, based on the documentary Simon Schama: The Holocaust, 80 Years On, explores the essential question: “What forms did resistance take at Nazi death camps?” Through a series of structured activities students investigate not only armed revolts but also lesser-known forms of resistance, such as spiritual defiance, documentation, and cultural preservation.

With a focus on Auschwitz and individuals like Zalmen Gradowski, students examine the immense challenges to resistance—including extreme violence, surveillance, and dehumanization—and reflect on how such acts shape historical memory. This resource ultimately empowers students to think critically about moral courage, historical legacy, and the enduring importance of resistance in the face of atrocity.