The Holocaust in the Netherlands | Simon Schama: The Holocaust, 80 Years On

This learning plan asks students to critically examine how the Holocaust unfolded and evolved in the Netherlands, and how it compares to the broader European context. Through a series of structured activities students explore essential and supporting questions that address the role of government policies, the complicity of civil servants, and the lasting impact of public memorials. The plan emphasizes key historical thinking skills such as interpreting cause and effect, applying geographical literacy, and analyzing primary sources, including primary and secondary-source maps.

A focused independent activity challenges students to analyze the 1941 Amsterdam Municipality Map and trace its implications through subsequent events, deepening their understanding of bureaucratic collaboration in the Holocaust.