Nazi Architecture and the Image of Ultimate Power

by Jan-Ruth Mills

Subject:

8th Grade Writing and Reading, World History

Duration:

Three to five days

Procedure:

Detailed explanation of each day’s activities

Grade level:

Meets Arizona Reading and Writing Standards 8-12. Group projects meet Social Studies “Study Skill Requirements for Historical Research” Grades 8-12.

Purpose:

Students will gain knowledge of the Nazi intent to communicate the power of the state through architecture. By examining the historical context, function and process of building concentration camps with the use of slave labor, students will analyze the cause and effect relationship between Nazi interest in medieval history and the use of medieval architecture on structure of Mauthausen Concentration Camp to intimidate inmates and local population. Since the SS continues to have a mystique of courage and bravery for too many students, this lesson intends to de-mythologize the SS by comparing images in propaganda and SS photographs to war crimes documents and survivor testimony. As a final assessment, students will use the knowledge gained about the effects of architecture on the viewer to design a place for one of the Tucson Survivors to recuperate. Taking into consideration the structure of the camp from which he or she was liberated and the building materials used therein, students will design a place a survivor of such camps could rest, recuperate, mourn and learn to live again. Finally, students will consider how best to commemorate the Holocaust by assigning a permanent use to the building they have designed.

Arizona Standards:

Social Studies, Writing, Reading and World History

Assessment/Rubrics

Student Handouts on Rubrics for Collaborative Writing on Visual and Written texts based on Six Traits required by AIMS Test with explanation for teacher

Objectives:

Students will draw conclusions about the relationship between Nazi antisemitism and European history. Students will analyze intended affect of Medieval architectural references in structure of Mauthausen on Jews and other “enemies of the state.”

Materials:

Students will need constructions paper, scissors, colored pencils and other art material to construct model.

Many thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Shaw at St. Augustine Catholic High School, Tucson, AZ, and her 9th grade students for cooperation in preparing this lesson.