Life was hard for children in concentration camps because they died, the treatment in the camps, and the struggle for survival.  Children died in many expierments done by the German Nazis and other scientists. Others died by abortion from Nazis. More than 1.5 million children died in the Holocaust all together. If a child had the privalege to stay alive it was not fun, they had to work very hard in the camps.  Some tried to escape and stay alive, but not many could because survival was one of the toughest things for a child in the Holocaust.

     The Holocaust was hard for children, especially in concentration camps.  Many children died.  Some children were aborted by Nazis before birth, if they were thought to have German blood in them.   Also,  Nazis would disguise vans with red crosses.  They

would later load the Jewish into the vans and fill them with gas.  If women were thought to be slacking because of her child, the child would be killed quickly without the mother seeing.  Survivors stated, “There would be a children’s barrack where children were being held for later experiments.” (Children and the Holocaust).  Experiments were common way for children to die, they would be tested with poisons, and their organs would be used and preserved in institutions.  More than 1.5 million children died in concentration camps during the Holocaust.                 

(The picture above is of a concentration camp.)

                          When children arrived at concentration camps, they most likely died.  Some children were too young for work, so they were killed immediately or used in experiments. Dr. Kurt Heissmeyer was a man that was well known for doing experiments on children. He went on a mass killing spree during the Holocaust, towards the end, to try hide the evidence of killing so many children, due to experiments.  If a child was lucky they would not die, and they would be sent with their mother to work, or fight for survival.  “Children were especially vulnerable in the Holocaust,” stated survivors. (Children and the Holocaust).  For death children would also be sent to gas chambers. If they were to manage to stay alive upon arrival, children would be separated into three groups.  These groups were infants and toddlers, young children from seven-twelve, and adolescents from thirteen-eighteen.

(The picture above shows children in a concentration camp.)

       Survival in concentration camps was very hard for children.  Although, some managed to escape in underground activity, and stay alive.  Boys could stay alive in camps as well, if they were able to work.  Also, for children to survive sometimes they had to separate from their parents and hide some place wiithout them.  One girl was separated from her parents at four with her five year old brother; they had to live on their own until they later found an orphanage.  Most children were scarred of the concentration camps and would do anything to stay out of them.  These children would smuggle food, and medicines to stay alive in their hiding places.  One girl stated, “When daddy found out that there would be liquidation of the Ghetto, we hid in the cellar.” (Stories of Survival).

(The picture above shows children left with no parents.) 

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