1. The Holocaust, the events going on during and before the war. Camps, Ghettos, etc.
--- Why does this matter? The world has seen so many atrocities throughout history. What (if anything) made this one special?

No offense 5YL, but the very fact that you would ask this question shows the need for education about World War II. The Holocaust took place under unique circumstances. A leading country in the world, Germany, had its legal system subverted and placed in the service of genocide. How this came about, and how it might have been avoided, or might be prevented in the future continues to be the subject of much scholarship and inquiry. There is no doubt that atrocities occurred before and have occurred after World War II. But the subversion of the culture and legal system continues to be extraordinary, if not unique, and its causes not fully understood. Inquiry into how the Holocaust occurred is crucial in trying to prevent the subversion of legal systems and cultures now and in the future.

Gary