“After May 1940, the good times were few and far between; first there was the war, then the capitulation, and then the arrival of the Germans, which is when the trouble started for the Jews.”
- June 12, 1929 – February/March 1945
- German-Dutch
- Diarist, Holocaust Victim, Symbol of the Human Cost of War and Persecution
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Quote
“After May 1940, the good times were few and far between; first there was the war, then the capitulation, and then the arrival of the Germans, which is when the trouble started for the Jews.”
Explanation
In this quote, Anne Frank delivers a stark summary of the rapid decline in safety and normalcy for Jewish families in the Netherlands following the Nazi occupation. May 1940 marks the beginning of the German invasion of the Netherlands during World War II, after which the Dutch government capitulated. Anne’s words reflect how quickly freedom gave way to fear, and how ordinary life deteriorated under an oppressive regime.
The phrase “the trouble started for the Jews” refers to the implementation of antisemitic laws, forced registration, segregation, and eventual deportation. Anne and her family were among the many who went into hiding to escape this escalating persecution. Her tone, while calm and matter-of-fact, conveys the deep injustice and loss experienced by an entire community. Her use of the timeline emphasizes the speed with which rights were stripped away, underscoring how freedom can vanish almost overnight.
Today, this quote serves as a warning of how tyranny can escalate under the guise of order, especially when targeted against minority groups. Anne’s brief chronology reminds us of the importance of vigilance against discrimination and authoritarianism. Her personal witness to history challenges modern readers to reflect on the consequences of silence and the need to protect human rights before they are lost.
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