Overview
Antisemitism is most frequently associated with the Holocaust. However, this hatred did not originate with the Nazis. This lesson will help teachers and students understand where antisemitism came from and how it has evolved over time.
About the Lesson
Grade Level: 6-12
Our free lesson plan on the history of antisemitism helps bridge teachers’ and students’ understanding of antisemitism’s historical roots and its manifestations today. Students will explore the evolution of antisemitism, starting with pre-Christian times, and identify the four interacting forms of antisemitism in the context of European history.
This lesson can be used in its entirety or in segments, depending on the course you teach, the focus of the overall topic, or the time frame (one or more class periods). For example, in a course on Ancient and Medieval History, you may wish to select those slides in our slide deck that match your curriculum.
Essential Questions
- What is antisemitism?
- What are four forms of antisemitism?
- How have these four forms of antisemitism been expressed throughout history?
- How can these four forms of antisemitism be expressed in modern times?
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Identify the four forms of antisemitism (religious, economic, political, and racial) which are interconnected and have manifested in various ways over time.
- Trace the evolution of antisemitism from pre-Christian to modern times.
Materials
- PDF: Prior Knowledge Assessment
- Google Doc: Prior Knowledge Assessment
- Note Catchers for Teaching Google Slide Deck
- PDF: Modern Antisemitism Gallery Walk Activity
- Google Doc: Modern Antisemitism Gallery Walk Activity
- PDF: Antisemitism Glossary
- PDF: Exit Slip
- Google Doc: Exit Slip
- PDF: Additional Historical Primary Sources**
- Google Doc: Additional Historical Primary Sources
**Please note that some of the materials in these activities are represented in the slide deck and lesson plan. Use the activities provided in the way that works best for your classroom, whether that’s reinforcing their learning from the slide deck or placing more focus on specific sources.
