1940s were dangerous and trying times particularly for the Jews in Europe, Germany and Holland. Blind with racial hatred, Hitler and the Nazis launched an all offensive and open war against the helpless Jews. The Franks left Germany to live in Holland because they felt that they would be safer and free from persecution there. In 1940, Germany invaded Holland and occupied it. Same persecution and witch hunting started in Holland too.
For a young girl of thirteen it was very difficult to understand why the Jews were singled out for persecution and discrimination. She could see how unjust laws restricted the freedom of the Jews. First of all the Jews couldn’t use the street cars. They had to wear yellow starts to expose their identities. Even their children couldn’t be admitted to Christian schools. Anne like other Jewish children had to attend a special school only meant for the Jews. Anne and her family accept all these restrictive laws as a matter of fact and fate. Margot got a call up notice from the Nazis and that surely meant an invitation to a concentration camp and ultimate death. The family found shelter in a secret annexe in the office of Otto Frank. They consider themselves lucky than thousands others who faced persecution outside. They are also thankful to the Dutch authorities and people could rendered them all help and assistance. Anne was always worried about her friends who were being taken to concentration camps. But Anne believed that God would show His mercy on the Jews. The war would end and a new dawn of freedom and redemption would commence for the Jews.