Ghettos have been used since A.D.70. They have been mostly for Jews until the end of World War II. The Minsk and Riga ghettos were just two of the many different ghettos used in World War II. When Adolf Hitler became furher of Germany, Jews paid the price. Some were sent to ghettos, concentration camps or they were killed for disobeying orders. Anne Frank was also a Jew. She died in a concentration camp. Mr. Frank was the only member of the family to survive. He later chose to publish his daughters diary. Their hiding place was called the "Secret Annex" by Anne..
 

These Jews want food.
 

The Minsk Ghetto
 

     The Minsk Ghetto was started after German tanks entered the city on June 28,1941. Jewish men from the age of 15-45 were ordered to appear at a registration point. Failure to obey would result in death. By July15, 1941, the registration of the Jews was complete. They were ordered to wear a yellow star on their chest and backs. They couldn't walk down the main streets.If any Jew was found in the non-Jewish part of the city, they would be arrested and severally punished. Workers were given 300 grams of bread a day and a dark water called soup. Some Jews starved to death.
 

One boy even beat his father on a train to concentration camps for his loaf of bread. The yellow star was a sign of being a Jew.

     On November 7 and 20,1941, two massacres took place. A total of 20,000 Jews were killed the population got smaller and smaller. The ring around the ghetto got tighter and tighter. By October 1,1943, a total of 2,000 Jews remained in the ghetto.On October 21,1943, all of the remaning Jews were taken out of the ghetto and killed.The buildings were blown-up just in case someone was hiding in them.
 
 
 

The Riga Ghetto
 

     In Riga all Jews were ordered to be in the ghetto by October 25, 1941 at 6:00 p.m. or they would be punished.Latvian police were responsible for carring out the regestration and counting of the Jews.

     They were allowed only to bring cloths, personal items, and simple furniture.There was foursquare meters per person not including children.29,609 lived were 13,000 had.There was a hospitle with only scarce medical supplies. Soup kitchens and schools opened and life went on as usaual.

     On November 27, 1941, the Jews were taken to the Rumbuli Forest.15,000 Jews died on that day.Later a seperate ghetto was setup for the younger men.On December 8, 1941, 10,000 more Jews died in the Rumbuli Forest.Both the Germans and the Latvians wanted the Jews exterminated.The Jews couldn't trust anyone.Not even the goverment.The Jews had faith in humanity.