The Sachsenhausen camp is one of the concentration camp that was set up by Nazi during world war II. Its was situated in Oranienburg, near Berlin in Germany. This concentration camp had a great contribution in the history of holocaust which acted as a prototype for other concentration camp and also shown central role in extermination process of millions of people. In this blog post, we are going to provide brief information on historical background of the camp, existing conditions and further consequences.

Historical Overviews of the Establishment and Functions of the Sachsenhausen Camp

The Sachsenhausen camp was founded in 1936, in Oranienburg, as one of the first camps built for industrial use by the SS subordinate to Heinrich Himmler. Formerly a training academy for SS personnel, the camp subsequently developed into a detention and industrial slave-labor camp and finally an extermination camp.

Situations in the Sachsenhausen Camp

There were a lot of vices documented in Sachsenhausen that portrayed it as an inhuman camp. Surrendered POW s were tortured physically and psychologically, starved, turned into labor force, and used for experiments. The purpose of having a camp was solely to demoralize the inmates and Depersonalize them. Dwellings people were living in were cramped, dirty and very few had access to necessities that are basic. Tens of thousands of prisoners starved to death, perished from diseases, and were killed, often tortured before, by their captors.

Religious Persecution and Targeted Groups

The Sachsenhausen camp was intended for tracing various undesired elements by Nazi Germany. Leaders of the opposite party, insurgents, and people with the possibility of revolt were the first to be imprisoned with political prisoners. Subsequently, when the Nazis enacted their racial prejudices, this camp confined a great many of Jewish people, Romani’s, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses and physically challenged individuals. Current approximations show that it is likely the tens of thousands of people died within the confines of this camp before it closed.

Operations and Liberation

Sachsenhausen was one of the concentration camps which, as was noted, focused on forced labor. They were forced to exert strenuous efforts for the SS and private firms mainly in mechanical mfg of arms. Most of them labored until they were either physically broken or killed. When the World War II was near its end the camp experienced some difficulties because of the bombings and the advancing forces of the Soviets. Sachsenhausen’s prisoners were liberated by Soviet troops in April, 1945.

The History of the Sachsenhausen Camp

Today, the reports about the Sachsenhausen camp has become a Historical site to commemorate the holocaust. The site has been protected and now a visitor can interactively move around since there’s every building and structure that constituted the camp. There is now a museum and memorial in the concentration camp for the purpose of keeping alive memories of the wrongful deaths of people in the concentration camp and the aftermaths of it.

Taking a Tour to the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum

A tourist should bear in mind that, when visiting the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum, he or she should be mentally and emotionally ready to come across such events. It can indeed be rather overwhelming but it does provide a great insight into the worst the human race has come down to. Read the sad history and tributes on the acts and testimonies of those people who suffered so much and the dears who lost their lives to regain their freedom. People therefore need to desist from disrespecting the sites by engaging in unruly behaviors throught they are visiting the place to pay their respects to the victims.

Learning from the Past

This camp also reminds people of the Sachsenhausen of the dark price that hatred, discrimination, and uncontrolled power come with. It is important to study such period in order not to repeat such monstrous events in the future. Studying history helps people come together for the common cause of embracing wars, discrimination and hatred for peace, acceptances and love.