World War II in Europe

 

Contributed by Emily Dzioba

World War II in Europe and Coming to America: My Grandparents' Journey
 

     As we know, Europe entered World War II in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. Most European countries eventually fell to Hitler’s rule. As a result, thousands of people died. The Holocaust, that is, the killing of 6 million Jews, is trademarked with ghettos, forced labor camps, and the ultimate end, the concentration camp. However, not many people know that during this time of conflict, the people of the countries of the USSR were also being persecuted by Stalin.

     Germany under Hitler was known for its concentration, or death, camps. Less recognized are the labor camps. Here, those deemed unfit for society, based on race, health, sexual identity or wealth status, would be placed. They worked long hours in factories doing menial work to help the German war effort. Essentially, their work was slave labor. Life in labor camps was a do or die situation: you did the work they wanted when and how they wanted it done, otherwise you faced severe punishment.

     Not many people knew what went on behind Soviet gates while Russia was under Communist rule. In reality, Stalin had instituted many laws and programs with Hitler-esque intentions. He made his people suffer, and he didn't care. It is argued that Stalin may have in fact killed more people than Hitler.

     How did he do this? First, Stalin intentionally starved his people. When the USSR was threatened with German attack, Stalin had his armies burn hundreds of fields and farms so that the Germans could take nothing from them. However by doing this he caused great famine in the land. Additionally, food became rationed because of these shortages and many starved to death. Second, Stalin instituted forced labor camps. Unlike Hitler, these camps weren't intended for death; they were, again, essentially a source of slave labor. People were thrown into these camps because they were undesirables: petty criminals, peasants, etc. Forced to labor in harsh conditions, workers were made to work in dangerous factories and mines, as well as working on infrastructure projects. Even though they weren't technically death camps, many did not survive the conditions and hard work. Once serving their sentence, those released were forever changed.
   

Interview

I interviewed my dad, Steven Dzioba, about his parents' experiences during their time in labor camps and their immigration to America. I wish my grandparents were still alive so I could have talked to them personally, but I think my dad did a great job telling their story. It was a little emotional for him! :)

Photos

This picture was taken in my grandmother's village, shortly after her and my grandfather started seeing each other.

This was taken in Germany after they were liberated from the camps. That's my uncle that they're holding!

                 
                                      

 My grandfather went and worked on airplanes after he immigrated here. This is him with some of the guys he worked with.

My grandparents right before my parents' wedding day!

For More Information on World War II in Europe, see:

Cohn, Raymond L. "Immigration to the United States." Economic History Services. Economic History Association, 01 Feb. 2010. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. <http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/cohn.immigration.us>.

"Forced Labor Camps in the Communist Countries." Forced Labor Camps in the Communist Countries. Open Society Archives, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. <http://w3.osaarchivum.org/gulag/f.htm>.

Gregorovich, Andrew. "World War II in Ukraine." InfoUkes: Ukrainian History. InfoUkes Inc., 1 Mar. 1997. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.infoukes.com/history/ww2/>.

"Gulag: Soviet Forced Labor Camps and the Struggle for Freedom." Gulag: Soviet Forced Labor Camps and the Struggle for Freedom. Center for History and New Media, George Mason University, 2006. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://gulaghistory.org/nps/onlineexhibit/stalin/>.

"Nazi Camps." Holocaust History. United States Holocaust Museum, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005144>.

"Research Information Paper 8." Forced Labor Camps Under Communism. Open Society Archives, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. http://w3.osaarchivum.org/files/rip/08.htm