The Life of Anne Frank
Jane Smith
Mrs. Joyner
Language Arts and Literature
May 15, 2010
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Outline
THESIS:
This research paper will explore the life of Anne Frank, the Jewish girl who
managed to find hope and goodness in the midst of one of the saddest
moments in history.
I.
II.
III.
Anne’s Birth and Childhood
A.
Information on family
B.
Life in Germany
C.
Life in Amsterdam
Life During World War II
A.
Description of the Secret Annex
B.
Dates that it was occupied
C.
Occupants of the Secret Annex
D.
Anne’s writing – diary and short stories
Death and Posthumous Fame
A.
Details of Anne’s death
B.
Publication of her diary
C.
Diary becomes known around the world
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The Holocaust was a terrible event in the history of the world. Millions of stories
of sadness come from World War II. One story that came out of this war, however,
brings a message of goodness – the story that came from the pages of a diary
belonging to a young Jewish girl, Anne Frank. The Diary of Anne Frank has been read
by millions of people around the world since the end of World War II. Most Americans
read the play that was made from Anne’s diary while they are in school. Aside from her
diary and the play that was written, one might wonder who was Anne Frank? This
research paper will explore the life of Anne Frank, the Jewish girl who managed to find
hope and goodness in the midst of one of the most sad moments in history.
Anne’s Birth and Childhood
Annelies Marie Frank was born in Frankfort, Germany on June 12, 1929
(Walters, 216). Her parents were Otto and Edith Frank and she had an older sister
named Margot Frank. The Frank family was Jewish. For many years, Jewish people
lived in Germany without any problems, but when Adolf Hitler his Nazi party were
elected in 1933, life became difficult for German Jews (“Anne Frank”). Because of the
trouble with the Nazis, Otto Frank moved to Amsterdam in 1933 to set up a new
company with some friends there. Anne lived with her grandparents for a while until the
family home in Amersterdam was ready. In 1934, when Anne was five years old, she
joined her family at their new home in Amersterdam (Walters, 216).
Once Anne got to Amersterdam, she and her sister Margot attended the
Montessori school (a type of private school found in Europe and parts of the United
States). Life returned to normal for a while and no one bothered the Franks in
Amsterdam because they were Jewish. Otto Frank ran a factory and Anne did well in
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school, being described by fellow classmates as “outspoken and energetic” (Walters,
217). Unfortunately, Hitler and his Nazis were taking over countries in Europe and
eventually they came to Amersterdam.
Life During World War II
When the Nazis began to invade Amsterdam, Otto Frank prepared a secret
hiding place for his family in the upstairs section of his factory. Just as the Nazis were
about to round up the Jews in their city, the Franks snuck in the hiding place, also
known as the Secret Annex (“Anne Frank”). The family lived there for over two years,
from July 6, 1942, until August 4, 1944 (Walters, 217). They shared their hiding place
with another family and a dentist. During this time, Anne kept a diary where she wrote
about everything from day-to-day happenings, feelings, and news about the war (“Anne
Frank”).
Death and Posthumous Fame
Eventually, the Nazis found out where the Franks were hiding and they captured
them and sent them to several different concentration camps. Anne and Margot were
separated from their parents and sent to a camp called Bergen-Belsen. In March of
1945, Margot and Anne both caught a disease called typhus. Margot died first and then
Anne died a few days later (Walters, 218). When the war ended, everyone in the Frank
family was dead except for Otto Frank. He returned to Amsterdam and found Anne’s
diary in the Secret Annex. Mr. Frank had the diary published as a book, a play, and
over time, even several movies (“Anne Frank”). In the years since the war, millions of
people have heard Anne’s story by reading the book or the play or seeing one of the
movies. She is now one of the most famous names from the World War II era.
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Works Cited
“Anne Frank.” 19 Feb. 2008 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Accessed
3 Mar. 2008. <http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/index.php?ModuleId=10005143
(accessed September 8, 2006)>.
Walters, David M. “Anne Frank.” Globe Encyclopedia. 2006 ed. 214-18.