Anne Frank’s Early Childhood in Germany Before the World Changed

Anne Frank’s Early Childhood in Germany Before the World Changed 

Today I want to start a new series by looking at the early life of one of the most recognisable figures of the Second World War: Anne Frank. Before she became known around the world through her diary, she was simply a happy little girl growing up in Germany with a loving family with dreams for the future.

Anne Frank was born on the 12th of June 1929 in the city of Frankfurt am Main, Germany. She was the second daughter of Otto Frank and Edith Frank, her older sister Margot was three years older. The Frank family were Jewish, but they were not especially religious. Like many families, they valued education, hard work and spending time together.

Anne was a happy little girl who loved to play with her friends and listen to stories. And she enjoyed making people laugh. Even when she was still young child she had a lively personality. She enjoyed being the centre of attention and she was naturally curious about the world. She was known to be energetic, talkative and full of imagination.

But Germany was changing dramatically and not for the good. It was facing huge problems. The country was still struggling with the after effects of the First World War and Great Depression. It had high unemployment and political unrest. Many people were becoming frightened about the future. Extremist political parties gained support by promising change. Jewish families like the Franks were faced with growing antisemitism which was becoming increasingly visible. 

In 1933, Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. When he came to power his government quickly introduced laws that targeted Jewish people. Jewish families increasingly faced discrimination and huge hostility.

Life in Germany was becoming very dangerous for Jewish people. Otto Frank made the difficult decision to leave his homeland. He moved to Amsterdam in the Netherlands to build a new life for his family. Otto Frank travelled to Amsterdam in the summer of 1933. He established the Dutch branch of a company called Opekta, which sold pectin for making jam. He worked hard to create a stable business and find a suitable home. 

While Otto was establishing himself in Amsterdam, Edith, Margot and Anne stayed in Aachen, just across the Dutch border, with Edith’s mother, Rosa Holländer. Once everything was ready, Edith joined Otto in Amsterdam, followed by Margot in December 1933 and Anne in February 1934.

At just four years old, Anne would not have understood how important leaving was. She would have been unaware that the decisions her parents made were to protect their daughters from the growing threat of persecution.

The story of Anne Frank is often remembered for the years she spent in hiding, but before all of that, she was a little girl with a loving family, an infectious smile and a childhood that was interrupted.

How do you think Anne’s parents felt as they left Germany behind, in the hopes of give their daughters a safer future?