LibGuides: The Holocaust: Aftermath of the Holocaust

Articles

Aftermath of the Holocaust - effects on survivors
For survivors, the prospect of rebuilding their lives after the Holocaust was daunting. Many feared to return to their former homes.
The Aftermath
Two large and on-going international needs emerged as World War II was ending: 1) retribution for perpetrators, and 2) the re-settlement of people uprooted by the war. These complex issues have occupied the hearts and minds of thousands around the world for decades. Even today, unresolved issues about the Holocaust remains.
How Holocaust Survivors Rebuilt Their Lives After 1945
At the end of the Second World War, Holocaust survivors were faced with the task of rebuilding their lives. Many survivors had seen their parents die of starvation, simply disappear or even shot in front of their eyes: the agony of these events would stay with them forever. It required years of effort to rebuild lives that were still young, but deeply traumatised.
Rebuilding Lives
After the Holocaust, those who survived often faced incomprehension and even hostility. People who went back to where they had previously lived frequently discovered that their homes were occupied by other people and that their belongings were gone. They were treated with fear and resentment.

The Nuremberg Trials

The Nuremberg Trials

After the war, Allied powers—United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union—came together to form the International Military Tribunal (IMT). From 1945 to 1946, Nazi Germany leaders stood trial for crimes against peace, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing crimes...continue reading...

Video

Videos - survivors

Find out more about the experiences of survivors in the aftermath of the Holocaust as they grappled with the challenges of rebuilding their lives, in a series of personal interviews.

Survivor stories

Behind Every Name a Story consists of essays describing survivors’ experiences during the Holocaust, written by survivors or their families. The essays, accompanying photographs, and other materials, including submissions that we are unable to feature on our website, will become a permanent part of the Museum’s records.