What were other purposes, besides extermination, of concentration camps?
Concentration camps were not originally intended for extermination. The first concentration camp was Dachau (just outside of Munich), and it was meant to be a camp for detaining those against the government. Later they used it to clear Jews from areas, but not necessarily to kill them. They also wanted to use them as work camps to help with the war effort. They would build railroads, make munitions, and other necessary tasks. In the fall of 1941 the first true extermination camp was built, and many more followed. These camps were not concentration camps, but rather places where Jews and others were taken to be killed. They were, however, usually built next to concentration camps, and the workers came from those camps. I hope this helps.
