Propaganda in Occupied France

Suggested time: 10-15 minutes

Grades: 6+

Part A. Listening to a survivor’s testimony can give us a deeper understanding of Holocaust history by connecting that history to one person's experience. Before you begin this activity, (1) watch Serge's testimony clip about experiencing propaganda as a young Jewish boy in Nazi-occupied France, and (2) read the text Manipulating the Masses.  Then complete the following activity to connect Serge's testimony to what’ve you’ve learned.

1. Write down three connections between Serge's testimony and the text Manipulating the Masses.
2. Write down two connections between Serge’s testimony and the world today.
3. Write down one connection between Serge’s testimony and a personal experience in your own life.

Part B. Reflect on the friends who told Serge that his Jewish family was different from the other Jews portrayed in Nazi propaganda.

1. Why do you think these friends believed the propaganda?
2. How could the friends have protected themselves from being manipulated (persuaded) by Nazi propaganda?
3. How do you think Serge was affected by being the target of hateful propaganda?