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Chemistry of The Holocaust

& The Children Involved

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Jose Balderas
Mrs. Melton
Chemistry

Holocaust: Chemistry of the Holocaust & The Children Involved

The Holocaust was a time of sadness and the fight for domination right. There
were many factors contributing and sacrificing during the Holocaust. Two of the most
important were children and the chemicals the Germans (Nazis) used to kill them, and
not only the children but all Jews and many Germans.
Not all children were targeted, as most of us already know, Nazis only targeted
Jews and the few Germans who supported the Jews. Children were captured if they
were a Jew, and would also be the first ones in line to death. In some cases this was
seen as a good act, for the children werent put to starvation and brutal conditions. Not
all children were sentenced to death. Since most children were stronger than older
people, they were sent to labor camps. In labor camps they were put to work at full
force, also facing starvation and the many diseases that hoarded in the camps. During
this process children were separated from their parents, some went to labor camps (as
described above) and others faced brutal experiments that was carried out by German
scientists and doctors. Jewish twins were especially targeted for these experiments.
There were many ways in which the Nazis killed Jews, but gas chambers/vans
were most favored, due to the relatively easiness of handling and getting the
gas/chemical. Gas vans were big container trucks. The Nazis would load them up full,

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and close the back doors. There would be an attached hose from the exhaust pipe, in
which they would connect it to the back leading into the container. While the vehicle was
on, carbon monoxide would be pumped into the container. The victims would breathe in,
and eventually die, usually taken about 20 minutes or less.
Even though gas vans were effective, the Nazis came up with gas chambers.
Gas chambers had a much bigger capacity and did not necessarily have to have a
vehicle running. The Nazis could use any gas to put through vent pipes at the top of the
chamber, and the gas would either react to the air or evaporate, or would already come
in gas form.
Throughout the Holocaust the most used chemical/gas was Zyclon B. Zyclon B
was essentially used as a pesticide, but German scientists figured out that it would kill
humans too. Zyclon B would release hydrogen cyanide, a prussic acid, which would
interfere with cellular respiration, eventually cutting off all oxygen.
The Holocaust was a saddening and bloody time. Over 6 million Jews were
affected, and more than 11 million people took part in mass murderings. Most of which
were killed by the deadly toxin Zyclon B. Even though many people suffered and died,
many children survived the Holocaust and still live to tell their saddening stories of what
they experienced during the Holocaust.

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Works Cited
Articles of the Holocaust, . Children in the Holocaust. 2015.
http://www.hitlerschildren.com/article/568_childrenintheholocaust
Grubach, Paul. The Chemical & Toxicological Impossibility of the Auschwitz Gas Chamber
Legend. 2015: Article