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1942 It becomes more dangerous for Jews

Persecution of the Jews

Amstelstation
Transvaalbuurt neighbourhood
Amstelstation
Transvaalbuurt neighbourhood [+] Enlarge map [-] Reduce map
© Stadsarchief Amsterdam / Bart de Kok

Jewish men leave for work camps from the Amstel Station

On 25 April 1942, 486 Jewish men leave from the Amstel Station for work camps in Overijssel and Drenthe (the Netherlands).

© Stadsarchief Amsterdam / Bart de Kok

From January, the occupier forces unemployed Jews to go to work camps. The Jewish Council is responsible for organizing this with the Labour Exchange. Many try to avoid it, but it’s very difficult. On 10 January the first group of 905 Jews leave for a work camp in Drenthe. It is so cold in these camps that the non-Jewish men working there had to be sent home because the freezing temperatures made it impossible for them to work.

© Stadsarchief Amsterdam / Bart de Kok

After a while even Jewish men who are in employment are sent to work camps. Up to September 1942 more than 5,000 men are sent to these camps. From there they are sent on to Westerbork. It is not known whether they ever saw their families there.

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Persecution of the Jews

Shortly after Hitler comes to power in Germany, the persecution of the Jews starts. The aim is to get rid of all Jews in Germany. The Nazis isolate Jews from non-Jews. Molestation and vandalism become the order of the day. The Nazis continue these practices in the occupied countries. Sometimes Jews become forced labourers but most are systematically murdered. The majority of the Jews in the Netherlands are deported to concentration camps where they are killed in gas chambers. The murder of European Jews – in total circa 6 million – is known as the Holocaust or the Shoah.

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1938 Many Jewish refugees after Kristallnacht

Many Jewish refugees flee to the Netherlands after Kristallnacht. Princess Juliana also feels connected to the Jewish community. But while more attention is drawn to the admittance of more Jews, NSB members threaten more intervention.

1938  Many Jewish refugees after Kristallnacht

1940 Amsterdam occupied

Nothing changes too much for the Frank family in the beginning. Opekta moves to the Prinsengracht. During air raids bombs cause death and injury in Amsterdam.

1940  Amsterdam occupied

1941 Jews allowed to do and less

It starts with a cinema ban but rapidly Jews are banned from virtually all public places. Jewish children must attend separate schools. This also applies to Anne and Margot Frank.

1941  Jews allowed to do and less

1942 It becomes more dangerous for Jews

On her thirteenth birthday Anne Frank receives a diary. A few days later she writes about the situation in Amsterdam. The introduction of the Jewish star and the raids. In July the Frank family goes into hiding.

1942  It becomes more dangerous for Jews

1943 Deportations and attacks

While the Frank family is in hiding thousands of Jews are deported from Amsterdam. The resistance tries to hinder the deportations by attacks including one on the Public Registry. It doesn’t stop them.

1943  Deportations and attacks

1944 Discovered and arrested

On 4 August the people in hiding in the secret annex are discovered and arrested. From Westerbork they are taken to Auschwitz. When the Allies land in the south of the Netherlands there is hope that the country will be liberated. German soldiers and NSB members flee the country after Dolle Dinsdag (‘Mad Tuesday’).

1944  Discovered and arrested

1945 Joy and sadness

A celebration at the Dam on 7 May is ruined when people are killed after German soldiers shoot at the crowd. On 8 May Amsterdam is officially liberated. Otto Frank returns. He knows that Edith is dead. He only hears later that his two daughters have not survived.

1945  Joy and sadness

1946 Slowly the threads are picked up again

On 3 May 1946 the first official commemoration for those who died during the war is held. Anne Frank’s diary is published on 25 June 1947. Life in Amsterdam slowly gets back to normal. Of the 70,000 Jews who lived in the city in 1940 only 10,000 have survived the war.

1946  Slowly the threads are picked up again

1950 Lasting memory

Even five years after the liberation the reverberations from the war are still clearly noticeable. The Jewish community thanks Amsterdam for the help given to Jews with a monument.

1950  Lasting memory
  • 1950

  • To those who protected the Dutch Jews during the years of the occupation. Protected by your love. Encouraged by your resistance. Mourning with you.

    Part of the citation on the monument ‘Jewish Gratitude’
  • picture:Once a year, two minutes silence

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View the most important places with their story from Anne Frank’s Amsterdam. Click to the Timeline and see how Amsterdam changed from being a safe haven in 1933 to an occupied city. Zoom in by clicking on the plus sign on the left. This way you can click more easily on the places on the map