How did ordinary Germans generally respond to the rumors about concentration camps?

Ordinary Germans were largely unaware of the full extent and nature of the situation regarding concentration camps. The Nazi regime employed significant measures to maintain secrecy about the camps, including strict censorship of the press and propaganda that painted a favorable picture of their policies. While some individuals may have had suspicions or heard rumors, many were not fully informed about the realities of the camps, which were often misrepresented or obscured by the government.

This lack of awareness was further compounded by the regime’s portrayal of the camps as necessary for maintaining order and security in society. Consequently, the overall consciousness among the general population was limited, and many Germans focused on their everyday lives, often distancing themselves from the grim realities of the political climate.

The support, opposition, or even the action commonly associated with the camps are more reflective of specific groups or individuals within German society, rather than the general sentiment of ordinary Germans, who were not equipped with accurate information to form a comprehensive opinion on the concentration camps.