anne frank

The Life of Anne Frank

Jane Smith

Mrs. Joyner
Language Arts and Literature
May 15, 2010
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. Anne’s Birth and Childhood
A. Information on family
B. Life in Germany
C. Life in Amsterdam
II. 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
III. Death and Posthumous Fame
A. Details of Anne’s death
B. Publication of her diary
C. Diary becomes known around the world

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 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.
Works Cited

“Anne Frank.” 19 Feb. 2008 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Accessed
3 Mar. 2008. .
Walters, David M. “Anne Frank.” Globe Encyclopedia. 2006 ed. 214-18.

Cited: “Anne Frank.” 19 Feb. 2008 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Accessed 3 Mar. 2008. . Walters, David M. “Anne Frank.” Globe Encyclopedia. 2006 ed. 214-18.