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September 1939 changed Yanek's life for the worst. Ffrom Prionser B-3087 Gratz, Alan (A book about a boy named Yanek who survived 10 different concentration camps and went to america) the radio man stated, "Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt this broadcast with the news that the Nazis has reached Krakow." This means the German army is going to start to take over and change Krakow. This is important because it tells us that Yanek's life is going to change because from history we know Hitler was killing all these jews. This shows how Yanek will start to experience tuff and intolerable times and maybe get sent to a concentration camp or have relatives killed.

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During September 1939 Hitler made up an convinsing and manipulating excuse to send fire to Poland. "German soldiers, dressed as Poles, had attacked a radio station in the border town of Gleiwitz and spread false information. It gave Hitler an excuse to attack Poland." (The start of the Second World War: Germany invades Poland) Hitler wanted to invade and send fire at poland but, didn't want it to be out of the blue, so he made it seem like Poles attacked Germany to deceive the truth that it was made up. This means that Germany was able to come up with an exploit to attack Poland when Poland did nothing wrong.

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Yanek has lost hope in his father and is starting to doubt him. Yanek said, "He was my father, and I wanted to believe him, but I wasn't so sure anymore." This quote means that Yanek loves his father and tries to believe in him as much as possible but now he starts to doubt him also showing how he has matured. This is important because it starts to make he think he is going to lose everyone and get sent to a concentration camp and live a bad life. This is showing how Yanek is starting to mature by believing in his father less.

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President Franklin D. Roosevelt challenged America's isolationism stance, calling for active support of global democracy. "Delivered during the State of the Union on January 6, 1941, Roosevelt took a stance against isolationism...issuing a call to action to defend global democracy, stating that the United States had a responsibility to fight for four universal freedoms...After the U.S. entered the war in December 1941, these 'Four Freedoms' became a driving message behind the need to stop the Axis powers." (The Four Freedoms) Roosevelt's commitment to protecting not just America but also the world, arguing that certain freedoms like speech, worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear should be world wide rights. His message helped inspire Americans to support the war, showing them that the fight was about protecting basic freedoms for everyone set the stage for future human rights for everyone world wide.

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Yanek grows older starting to mature and do his own things despite his parents or others scared of his actions. "Do you have jewels? Gold? A radio?" "He demanded. My mother didn't answer. She just started at the Nazi and trembled..." "In the kitchen!" "I said." (pg 28-29) His mom not knowing what to do he takes control telling where the jewels are. This scene highlights Yanek's growing independence and willingness to act, even as others, like his mother, are paralyzed by fear. His defiance and maturity shows that his survival instincts are developing in him, and are crucial for navigation dangers around him.

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The Battle of Midway was a pivotal moment in World War II, largely due to U.S. intelligence efforts. "The United States was aware that the Japanese were planning an attack in the Pacific... because Navy cryptanalysts had begun breaking Japanese communication codes in early 1942." (The Battle of Midway) The U.S. being able to crack Japanese codes helped them see the attack coming and fight back, showing just how smart the U.S. was back then in wartime. This intelligence victory turned the tide of the war in the Pacific ocean, preventing Japanese dominance and marking a turning point in, in favor of the Allies.

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So, Yanek's becoming a man now, and he's got to take on his own responsibilities, like owning up to what he does. "Yanek my son." "he said, looking at me solemnly, you are a man now, with all the duties of an adult under Jewish law. You are now responsible for your own sins, but also for your own goodness." (pg 46) This is a big deal 'cause it's the moment he steps into adulthood, where he has to deal with the tough realities around him and take responsibility for himself. His father’s words highlight that, even in the darkest times, Yanek is now expected to carry the weight of his choices and uphold his own sense of right and wrong.

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The U.S. overlooked Japanese Americans as enemies during time of war with Japan kicking them out of their homes in America. "Virtually all Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes and property and live in camps for most of the war. The government cited national security as justification for this policy although it violated many of the most essential constitutional rights of Japanese Americans." (Japanese American Incarceration) The serious  infringement of interment upon Japanese Americans, who lost home, property, and basic rights being abused and unprotected. The internment of Japanese Americans is a reminder of the dangers of racial prejudice and fear, and the consequences of prioritizing security over civil rights.

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Yanek let himself down by not asking where the money was hidden; he believed that Uncle Moshe would live like Yanek to escape the concentration camps. "And the money I had found! Moshe had hidden it, and he had never told me where. I'd never thought to press him on it, because Moshje would always be there. We were going to survive-the last two men in the Gruener Family written on the pages of the world." (pg 86) The paper epitomizes the regret and growing awareness of Yanek that to survive in the harsh circumstances, one has to be self-dependent, as he can no longer depend on others, not even family members. It is a loss of innocence that makes him realize the cruel reality he has to face, pulling him even deeper into his adulthood.

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February 1943 is often remembered as a major setback for the United States in its early encounters with German forces. "Historians usually describe Kasserine as a major defeat of the inexperienced US ground forces in their first serious engagement with the Germans. While there is some truth to this, the story of the battle’s first days, which saw US forces retreat as much as 50 miles, has overshadowed that of its eventual outcome." (Kasserine Pass: German Offensive, American Victory) Kasserine Pass initially exposed the inexperience of American forces, the focus on the early retreat has often blocked out the lessons learned and the eventual improvements in U.S. strategy and resilience. Kasserine Pass reminds us that early failures in battle can lead to crucial growth and adaptation, setting the stage for the U.S. military to strengthen and succeed in future engagements.

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Yanek's experience told about the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a defining moment showing how there is no escape in the concentration camps and the brutal and cruelty conditions of the Nazis will be forced upon the prisoners. "Our kapo told us." "Maybe you are thinking it would be easy to escape into the darkness. There are nine levels. Three hundred kilometers of tunnels." This description emphasizes the hopelessness Yanek feels, symbolizing the loss of freedom and the oppressive environment that surrounds him. This moment illustrates the relentless hardships Yanek faces, testing his endurance and strengthening his will to survive in the face of unimaginable cruelty.

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The Sobibor uprising was one of the few organized revolts by Jewish prisoners in Nazi killing centers during the Holocaust. "Jewish prisoners at the Sobibor killing center begin an armed revolt. About 300 escape. SS functionaries and police units, with assistance from German military units, recapture about 100 and kill them. After the revolt, SS Special Detachment Sobibor supervises the dismantling of the camp." (October 14) incredible bravery and desperation of the prisoners, who risked everything for a chance at freedom, knowing the odds they would escape or will the fight be very low. Sobibor uprising stands as a powerful symbol of resistance and resilience, demonstrating that even in the darkest times/moments, the human spirit can push people to fight for their lives and dignity despite the odds.

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Yanek reflects on how the prisoners are treated by Nazis cruelly and compares their brutal acts to a game. "This was all a game to the, like a hand of cards or a soccer match. We were the ball, to be kicked around for their sport." (pg 108) This quote demonstrates the utter disregard of the Nazis for human life, where prisoners to them were just objects for their amusement, their dignity and humanity. It underlines the dehumanization Yanek and others went through, reinforcing the notion of the psychological and physical abuses prisoners had to face every day.

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In July 1944, a bold assassination attempt on Hitler by German officers failed, leading to brutal shockwave. "Colonel Graf Claus von Stauffenberg... left a bomb in a briefcase in the room where Hitler was conferring... The bomb exploded; but Hitler survived, and the coup miscarried. The Nazi reaction was savage... 5,000 people were put to death... Fear permeated the German high command." (Developments from summer 1944 to autumn 1945) the lengths to which some within Hitler’s ranks went to stop him, risking their lives for Germany’s future and saving Jews and others in concentration camps. The failed attempt led to a wave of fear and effect, as the Nazis punished thousands, making resistance even more dangerous and costly.

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Yanek reaches one of his breaking points, defeated, as he stands under the showerhead and doesn't know if water or deadly gas will pour out. “Go on!” "I yelled at the showerhead." “Go on, do it! I dare you!” "I laughed again." “What are you waiting for?” "I cried." “Kill me! I give up! You win!” The depth of Yanek's despair evinces his own death, infuriated by the cruelty and ambiguity of life in the concentrations camps. The toll that life in the concentration camp has taken on Yanek’s spirit, revealing his struggle to keep going when faced with unrelenting suffering.

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The success of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, depended heavily on the element of surprise, a important factor/part in overcoming German defenses. "Surprise was an essential element of the Allied invasion plan. If the Germans had known where and when the Allies were coming they would have hurled them back into the sea with the 55 divisions they had in France." (D-Day: The Allies Invade Europe) the high stakes of the operation, showing that careful planning were crucial to avoid a turning point, war changing loss. The surprise attack on D-Day helped the Allies get a strong hold in Europe, which was a big step toward beating the Nazis and freeing the countries they had taken over.

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Yanek reflects on losing his identity and humanity under the Nazis' oppressive system. "That was the mark they put on me, am mark I would have for as long as I lived B-3087. That was who I was to them. Not Yanek Gruener, son of Oskar and Mina... I was Prisoner B-3087." (pg 131-132) Symbolizes the dehumanization Yanek experiences, as he is stripped of his name and identity, reduced to a mere number. As it shows how the Nazis attempted to erase individual identities, making survival not just a physical struggle but also a fight to retain a sense of self.

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The Warsaw Uprising of 1944 not only marked a significant resistance effort against German occupation but also deepened tensions between Stalin and the Western Allies. "The Warsaw Uprising created a rift between Stalin and his Western Allies, which some historians argue anticipated the Cold War." (The Allied Responses to the Warsaw Uprising of 1944) Stalin’s choice not to help the uprising wasn’t just about the war, it was a move to keep control over Poland, showing breaks in the Allied partnership. The Soviet refusal to support the uprising was like a red herring at the postwar conflicts that would lead to the Cold War, showing how political interests could sometimes got in the way of cooperation among the Allies.

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Yanek attempts to stand up for a fellow prisoner, only to face brutal punishment from the Kapo. "He, can't," "I told the Kapo." "He's sick." "The kapo struck me with his club, sending m e to the floor. I put my hand to my ear and felt blood." (pg 161) Yanek's compassion and bravery, even in the face of violence, as he risks his own safety to defend someone weaker. Harsh reality of concentration camp life, where kindness could be met with brutality, yet Yanek's actions highlight his humanity and courage despite the relentless punishments.

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Franklin Roosevelt’s fourth inauguration in January 1945 reflected the somber mood of a nation still at war. “Franklin Roosevelt’s fourth inauguration in 1945 was... a small and serious event. In January 1945, the nation was entering its last year of the war, and President Roosevelt had a lot on his mind. Roosevelt just won a tough election marked by accusations... and questions about the President’s health.” (Inauguration Day 1945: FDR's Ceremony at the White House) Franklin Roosevelt’s fourth inauguration in January 1945 reflected the somber mood of a nation still at war. “Franklin Roosevelt’s fourth inauguration in 1945 was... a small and serious event. In January 1945, the nation was entering its last year of the war, and President Roosevelt had a lot on his mind. Roosevelt just won a tough election marked by accusations... and questions about the President’s health.” (Inauguration Day 1945: FDR's Ceremony at the White House) This quote encompasses the burden Roosevelt had to bear while leading the nation through war-touching upon both personal/health and political challenges in one go. This was the opening to his last months in office and symbolized the hope of the nation for peace, coupled with a burden on FDR to contribute to ending World War II.

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Yanek confronts his own frustration and anger after losing his food in an attempt to help a fellow prisoner. "I looked down at the nameless boy again, and my hands made fists. I wanted to hit him. It was all his fault! I would never have wasted all that energy, would never have lost my food. if it wasn't for him!... It wasn't the boy's fault. It was mine, and I knew it." (pg 180-181) The self-conscious feelings of Yanek fight not to blame others, even at desperate and betrayed times by his good nature. Maturation growth in self-awareness, grasping he cannot blame others for the things he chooses-even in the monstrosity of camp life.

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American forces intensified their efforts to set free the Philippines from Japanese control, advancing strategic wise to reclaim major locations. "The XIV Corps moved south... toward Manila and met little resistance until it reached... Clark Field, which was soon occupied. While this drive southward was in progress the XI Corps landed on January 29, 1945... to secure Subic Bay and cut access routes to the peninsula, thus preventing the Japanese from using Bataan as MacArthur had employed it in 1942." (The invasion of the Philippines) Strategic moves made by American forces to block Japanese access and regain control of critical areas like Subic Bay and Bataan. capture of these locations marked a turning point in the Pacific ocean, allowing Allied forces to weaken Japanese defenses getting closer to defeating the Japanese in the Philippines.

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His sudden freedom and the uncertainty it brings after years of captivity. "For so many years, we had only done what we were told. That was the only way to survive. Now I was on my own... _But where would I go? What will I do?" (pg 243) Yanek’s feeling of disorientation and fear as he faces the unknown after enduring years of following orders to survive. impact of the Holocaust on survivors like Yanek, who, despite being free, struggle with reclaiming their independence and purpose in a world that has changed forever.

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When Japan, at last, surrendered in September 1945, it came as a big relief for the Allied nations and its citizens. "Later that year, US President Harry S. Truman announced Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II. The news spread quickly and celebrations erupted across the United States. On September 2, 1945, formal surrender documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri, designating the day as the official Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day)." (The End of World War II 1945) V-J Day means the formal end of the war after years of intensive conflict, fights, sacrifices, and so on. Japan's surrender finished the war and brought some relief to millions around the world. It marked the start of a new period which concentrated on rebuilding and finding ways to keep the peace worldwide.

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Yanek faces a emotional period as he prepares to leave his new family behind to pursue his dream of starting a new life in America. "It was hard to leave my new family when the papers finally came through in March of 1948. But I had spend years trying to get to America, and I was determined to go." (pg255-256) Determination and resilience, as he is willing to leave behind familiar connections to pursue the hope and freedom he has desired. Sacrifices that survivors like Yanek made to rebuild their lives, showing his strong commitment to starting fresh after years of unimaginable hardship.

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Tensions rose between the Allied powers and the Soviet Union when the Allies decided to join their zones of Germany into one economic unit. "In March 1948 the Allied powers decided to unite their different occupation zones of Germany into a single economic unit. In protest, the Soviet representative withdrew from the Allied Control Council." (Berlin blockade) The Allies’ move to unify their zones upset the Soviets, who saw it as a challenge to their control in Germany. The Soviet withdrawal from the Allied Control Council marked the beginning of the Berlin Blockade, deepening the divide between East and West Germany and leading to the Berlin Airlift.