Lesson 2: Refugees: The Historical Context
IN THIS LESSON YOU WILL:
Describe the ways in which the rise of fascism in Europe and World War II created an unprecedented global refugee crisis
Explain the global response to that refugee crisis, both during and after World War II
Understand that the aftermath of World War II set the stage not only for future refugee crises, but also for the global response to these crises
Directions:
View and read through Refugees: The Historical Context Part II at your own pace or watch and listen to a recorded version of the presentation.
After viewing, answer the following question either on your own or in the course reflection journal.
In this lesson, you learned that after World War II the global community came together to create a definition of the term refugee, to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to propose that refugees are entitled to safety and self-determination, and to assert that the global community must work together to address refugee crises. Why do you think this work was necessary? Important?
Click on the two arrows in the lower right hand corner to view and read through this lesson at your own pace.
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1. USHMM Holocaust Encyclopedia Articles
The following links will bring you to relevant articles on refugees and displaced persons during and after World War II.
The United States and the Refugee Crisis 1938-1941
2. "The Last Million": Eastern European Displaced Persons in Postwar Germany
This article discusses the crisis caused when over a million eastern European displaced persons refused to return home after World War II.
3. "When the Polish Were Refugees in Africa"
This article provides information about Polish refugees in Africa and a review of a documentary film about one Polish family's experience as World War II refugees in Africa.
4. Where Did 20,000 Jews Hide During the Holocaust? In Shanghai
You can both read and listen to this NPR report about Jewish refugees in Shanghai during World War II.
5. 'Schindlers' in Chinese City Saved 25,000 People In WWII"
This brief article discusses Chinese people displaced by the Sino-Japan conflict in World War II.
6. 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
This is the text of the 1951 Convention
7. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
This is the text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights