Other Genocides and Atrocities of the Twentieth Century

While the Holocaust carried out by Nazi Germany is among the most studied genocides in history, the twentieth century saw many other mass atrocities committed by different states and regimes. Examining these events alongside the Holocaust shows that organised mass killing was not unique to one country, and it helps in understanding the conditions, ideologies and chains of command that make such crimes possible. Each case has its own history, but several share patterns of dehumanisation, forced removal and state-directed violence.

The Armenian genocide during the First World War, carried out by the Ottoman authorities, involved the mass deportation and killing of Armenians and is widely regarded as one of the first modern genocides. In the Soviet Union, the Gulag system of forced-labour camps, including remote sites in regions such as Kolyma, held millions of prisoners under harsh conditions that caused enormous loss of life. Deliberate and policy-driven famines, such as the catastrophic famine in Ukraine, killed millions more, and the Katyn forest massacre saw thousands of Polish officers and others shot by Soviet forces.

Other episodes, including massacres committed during and after the chaotic end of the Second World War such as the killings associated with Bleiburg, further illustrate how the upheavals of the era produced widespread atrocity beyond the German camps. Documenting and comparing these crimes is part of the broader study of genocide. It supports remembrance of the victims, informs efforts to recognise and prevent such acts, and underlines that responsibility for mass atrocity has extended across many nations and ideologies.

Frequently asked questions

What was the Armenian genocide?

It was the mass deportation and killing of Armenians by the Ottoman authorities during the First World War. It is widely considered one of the first genocides of the modern era.

What was the Gulag?

The Gulag was the Soviet system of forced-labour camps that imprisoned millions of people, including political prisoners. Harsh conditions in remote regions such as Kolyma caused very high death rates.

What was the Katyn massacre?

The Katyn massacre was the killing of thousands of Polish military officers and others by Soviet forces during the Second World War, carried out in the Katyn forest and other locations.