The Auschwitz concentration camp, located in Poland, began operations in 1940 and welcomed its first prisoners, primarily Polish political detainees, on May 20 of that year. Originally opened by the Nazis as a detention center for those opposed to the regime, including Polish intellectuals and activists, Auschwitz's overarching purpose evolved dramatically over the following years. Initially, the camp was designed to hold political opponents of the Nazi regime, reflecting the broader strategy of suppression against dissent in the occupied territories of Eastern Europe.

As the war progressed and the systemic extermination of Jews and other targeted groups began, Auschwitz transformed into a central site of the Holocaust. By the end of the war, it had expanded to comprise multiple camps, including Auschwitz II-Birkenau, where mass exterminations were carried out in gas chambers. The facility's operations included forced labor, medical experiments, and the storage of goods confiscated from victims, underscoring the horrific nature of the Nazi genocidal policies.

The opening of Auschwitz marked a significant shift in Nazi concentration camp strategy, reflecting a broader, more systematic approach to the internment and extermination of perceived enemies. This camp would become synonymous with the atrocities of the Holocaust, serving as a chilling reminder of the capacity for human cruelty and the mechanisms employed by totalitarian regimes to enforce compliance and eradicate opposition.