Nazi Germany and its allies established more than 40,000 camps and other incarceration sites, between the years 1933 and 1945. Innocent people were forced into these camps where they were involuntarily worked to death and eventually, put to death by mass execution. One of the most famous concentration camps that were established was Auschwitz, where the majority of the mass murders took place.

Throughout history, the holocaust has been memorialized, so those generations would always remember and never forget a dark period in human history. Holocaust memorial sites have been created to honor those who lived and died at the hands of Nazi Germany, but more importantly, to teach them so that this part of history would never happen again.

But what happens when people begin to forget the most important lesson in human history?

According to NBC research was conducted that indicated most U.S. adults have little or no recognition of the Holocaust. This surprising new statistic reveals that 31 percent of the Americans surveyed, 41 percent being Millennials, do not believe that 6 million Jews were murdered.

The survey was conducted by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany and it interviewed 1,350 Americans in February 2018. Over half of Americans were unable to name one death camp. 15 percent of adults surveyed believed that Nazi slogans and symbols should be allowed because they were unaware of the true meaning behind these symbols.

58 percent of the Americans believed that something like the Holocaust could happen again.

These numbers are definitely concerning, especially with the rise of neo-Nazi hate groups in America.

Why are Americans forgetting the Holocaust?

Part of the reason most Americans are forgetting is a failure to educate. In a survey conducted in 1993 by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, it was revealed that 38 percent of adults and 53 percent of high school students failed to correctly answer questions regarding the Holocaust.

It was not until the 1980s when teachings about the Holocaust became a regular topic of study. A bill was passed in 2016 in Michigan and Rhode Island making the Holocaust a mandatory subject in high schools. Organizations are trying to push the mandate into all schools in all 50 states.

Though America isn’t alone. Poland passed a bill making it illegal to blame the country for any crimes committed during the Holocaust.

The Polish government is aware that according to history, half of the people that were murdered by Nazi’s were from Poland. Erasing that fact from history and teaching children a better version would paint Poland in a better picture.

Could the rise in anti-Semitism groups be because of how informed they are?

Is it possible? Yes. A young man, in his early teens, who has not been taught properly by his school or at home, could easily fall into these hate groups. It only takes one person, a fellow friend or a parent, to get involved with hate groups like neo-nazis. If a child is being taught hate, well then, hate is all he or she will know.

School boards should reinforce teachings like the Holocaust and other historical incidents where hate was the key indicator. The more we learn about our past, there can be hope for our future.
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