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What was the purpose and history of Sachsenhausen concentration camp in Berlin?

by | Mar 7, 2024 | Concentration Camp

Want to explore sachsenhausen concentration camp? Come and join us on the Original Berlin Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour.

Sachsenhausen concentration camp, located in Berlin, was one of the first concentration camps established by the Nazi regime. It was in operation from 1936 to 1945 and served various purposes during its existence, including political imprisonment, forced labor, and extermination.

The History of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Oranienburg is a town north of Berlin in which Sachsenhausen concentration camp was constructed on the grounds of an old brick production facility. Originally it was used to accommodate political detainees and opponents of the Nazi power, including communists, social democrats, trade unionists and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

From the early days of WWII, Sachsenhausen has been developed as well as become a complex of forced labor. Slaves were guarded and driven to work in jails or factories, construction sectors or in other development related projects in the nearby surroundings. The camp also was equipped with the guards of the SS who were also trained here and also participated in making of the genocidal policies.

Primary focus in this case is given to the living conditions that prevailed at Sachsenhausen.

The living condition at Sachsenhausen camp ranged from very harsh to a complete degrading of human dignity. Private prisoners were over crowded, poorly fed and were subjected to daily physical and psychological assault. They stayed in stifling small huts, sometimes with no heat and with lousy sanitation facilities to boot. The subordination was kept by constant counts and penalties, while most of the inmates could have died due to infection, starvation or abuse.

Milestones of Auschwitz include extermination and inhuman experiments ;837784.

Sachsenhausen also began to act as a medical experimental ground and extermination center. Inmates were exposed to unspeakable ordeals, such as experimental use of new drugs, means of sterilization, and methods of operation that would involve surgery with no anesthetic. It is also important to point out that about 12 thousand prisoners were forcibly exterminated in Sachsenhausen, especially during the action called euthanasia and in the process of the “Final Solution”.

Visiting Sachsenhausen Today

Sachsenhausen concentration camp has been transformed into a concentration camp memorial and museum, which documents Nazi actions. Today tourists can see the exposition of the preserved buildings and territories, study the history of camp. It is a learning institution that teaches people about the most significant chapter in German history.

One must be polite to those who suffered and their families during the visit with Sachsenhausen. There are self and audio-guided tours, as well as information provided about the history of the camp for the purpose of interpretation the expanses.

Remembering the Holocaust

We should always appreciate what people went through especially during the holocaust, and therefore paying a visit to Sachsenhausen. It is a sign of respect to the victims of genocide and a discouragement of discriminations which should be boycotted in any society.

This is important in a way to remember the past so as not to repeat similar incidents like the one described above. Similiarly today, Sachsenhausen stands as a symbol of the need to respect human rights, fairness and justice for all people.

Conclusion

They threatened the worst forms of punishment to any one who tried to escape, and this was a common practice especially at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp in Berlin. Its histories reveal that it has been implementing a policy of genocide; deprivation of individuals of their freedom, and putting to death numerous individuals. In this way, collecting information and traveling to places such as Sachsenhausen, it is possible to learn about the history of the past and try to create a future in which all people will be like equals and there will be no place for hatred and discrimination.

Want to explore sachsenhausen concentration camp? Come and join us on the Original Berlin Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour.

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What was the purpose and history of Sachsenhausen concentration camp in Berlin?

Mar 7, 2024