Activity 2: Book Burnings

• Look at the following image.  What do you think they are doing?  How would you describe their mood? 
  
   

This image shows Nazis burning books.

For discussion

In a democratic society, the idea of burning books is appalling.

• What books do you think these Nazis are burning and why?
• What does this tell us about fascist attitudes to freedom of expression?
• Do the men in the image appear to be forced to burn the books or are they doing it willingly?  Why do you think this is the case?
• Another way to describe this activity is ‘Censorship’.  Using a dictionary or your general knowledge, explain what this means.
• Do you think censorship can ever be justified?