When dealing with the review of such important and historically conflicted epoch of human history we have to study the important events and the certain establishments which occurred at that time. One of them is the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp situated near Berlin, Germany. In this part of the article, I want to upstream the goal and several significant episodes in the history of this notorious camp that helps the reader learn one of the essential aspects of the Second World War.

The Origins

The Sachsenhausen camp was therefore created by the Nazi regime in the summer of 1936. The camp was originally intended for political prisoners and later became a place where different represented enemies of the state, such as Jews, homosexuals, intelligent people and Jehovah’s Witnesses were being detained.

The Purpose

Initially established camp functioned as the concentration camp that was intended for transporting, holding and sometimes eliminating enemies of the state according to Nazi Germany. Such people were forced to work under duress, were subjected to incredibly harsh conditions, including the use of torture and in most cases killed.

The camp served several functions:

1. Political Oppression: Sachsenhausen detained political dissidents to prevent them from opposing more policies set by Nazis.
2. Slave Labor: Some of the prisoner’s plight was force or compelled to work for the German war machinery and other sectors.
3. Death Camp: Sachsenhausen was not, however, an extermination camp like Auschwitz; still, thousands of inmates were shot or starved to death.
4. Experimentation: It also means that ghetto and extermination camp were the places of conducting pseudo-scientific experiments on the prisoners.

Life in Sachsenhausen

Being in Sachsenhausen was practically living a living hell where prisoner could be physically or psychologically tortured. Discipline was strictly maintained including restriction of freedom to engage in normal activities of the day. The prisoners were confined in congested and dirty barracks, and forced into poor diet and sickness.

The Hierarchy

Sachsenhausen had a strict hierarchy, with SS officers overseeing the camp and prisoners divided into categories:

1. Political Prisoners: People rejecting the concept and policies promoted by the Nazis.
2. Jews: Those who are profiled because of their purported religion or race.
3. Other “Undesirables”: The Jews, homosexuals, intellectuals and everyone else who was not what Hitler and the Nazis considered to be ‘pure.’

Like most concentration camps, SS troops and other chosen prisoners known as kapos disciplined the population through the use of force and deadly force against fellow prisoners.

Both Remembrance as well as Education must be welcomed and encouraged.

Nowadays the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp represents a memorial and museum targeting those people who wish to learn about the real history of the Second World War. More than one exhibition, a historical and architectural tour, and several documentation centers help the guests to comprehend the history of the camp and the atrocities committed there.

It is perhaps important that we remember such prevailing histories so as not to repeat them in the future. Thus, recognizing the past can further people’s efforts toward eventually reaching better outcomes or at least be aware that such are impossible now.

Visiting the Memorial

Here if you want to visit the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial, it is crucial to plan how you will do it. A popular memorial is was established approximately 35 KM to the North of Central Berlin and one may get to the site through a public transport or a guided tour. Though there is no charge to get into the camp, however, to fully appreciate and understand the importance of the camp, visitors are encouraged to engage the services of a tour guide or avail themselves an audio- guide.

It is important to be respectul toward the visit because they’re are emotional significant because to survivors and families of the victims