Series of Banknotes

Suggested time: 20 minutes
Grades: 8+

Part A. Observe

1. Examine the banknotes closely (hint: zoom in on the image). Write down all the details you notice on each banknote (e.g. the people, their actions, the setting, the colours). 
2. What artistic features do you notice about the banknotes? Why do you think they have been used?

Part B. Analyse

Read the information on the Longest Hatred page and answer these questions:

1. Why do you think the town of Sternberg chose this historic event from the 15th century (the burning of the Sternberg Jews at the stake) to decorate its currency during an inflation crisis in 1922?  
2. By making this link to the long-ago massacre of the Jews of Sternberg, what message is the town sending its citizens about their present-day situation?
3. What word could you use to describe this tactic of blame? 
4. Because these banknotes were issued by the governing authorities of Sternberg, do you think the townspeople were more likely to believe the antisemitic message?

Part C. Infer

1. What do these banknotes tell you about the ideas that people held about Jews before the Nazis came to power? 
2. How might those ideas have contributed to the Nazi party’s rise to power?

Extension Question:  

What myths or stereotypes about Jews do these banknotes reflect? Can you identify four antisemitic myths?