We visited one of the largest Nazi concentration camps, Auschwitz in Poland. The concentration camp has been preserved as a museum. There are actually 3 camps around the town of Auschwitz, and they are pretty huge. The barbed wire fences are still up, and the main entrance way to Auschwitz I still has the slogan over the entranceway (in german) "Hard work brings freedom" - a cruel lie for the prisoners.
I hadn't realised what an unlucky geographical location Poland is in. Sandwiched between Russia and Germany, both superpowers wanted bits of Poland. The museum was full of quotes and photographs "As far as I am concerned, Poland and Polish people no longer exist. The aim is to depopulate poland and repopulate with german people". Just prior to the start of WW2, Russia and Germany agreed to split Poland, so each moved into Poland from their respective sides. During the war, the Red Army became the enemy of the german army - so kindof sided with the Poles but kindof didn't, leaving the Poles with no support at all. And of course, after the war, the Russians had control of Poland - for the next 40 years.
No wonder Poland is a relatively poor country compared with other european countries. It has had only 20 years of independence since communism ended in 1989.
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