The life of the Vladek and Anja changed after the Nazis came to power. Give examples from maus that display the Nazis increasingly institutionalized anti-Semitism, which ultimately led to concentration camps.

Soon after giving birth Anja becomes terribly depressed, and Vladek takes her to an upscale sanitarium in Czechoslovakia. On the train, they look out the windows and see swastikas on flags in town centers and hear stories of rampant anti-Semitism. They are the first signs of the brewing Nazi storm. When they return home, Vladek's father-in-law tells them that their factory was robbed while they were away. Everything was taken, though Vladek does not think that there were any anti-Semitic motives. Within a few months, though, they set up another factory, and soon things are again going well. They have a two-bedroom apartment and a Polish nurse. But anti-Semitic riots are brewing, and the situation is beginning to look ominous. The Nazis are stirring anti-Semitic sentiments amongst the Poles. Anja comments that, "when it comes to the Jews, the Poles don't need much stirring up." Their Polish nurse is offended and tells the Spiegelmans that she considers them family, but when things really begin to get bad, even the nurse will turn against them (see Book I, Chapter 6).

In 1939, Vladek receives a letter from the government drafting him into the army. He is sent west, to the German front.

Soon after giving birth Anja becomes terribly depressed, and Vladek takes her to an upscale sanitarium in Czechoslovakia. On the train, they look out the windows and see swastikas on flags in town centers and hear stories of rampant anti-Semitism. They are the first signs of the brewing Nazi storm. When they return home, Vladek's father-in-law tells them that their factory was robbed while they were away. Everything was taken, though Vladek does not think that there were any anti-Semitic motives. Within a few months, though, they set up another factory, and soon things are again going well. They have a two-bedroom apartment and a Polish nurse. But anti-Semitic riots are brewing, and the situation is beginning to look ominous. The Nazis are stirring anti-Semitic sentiments amongst the Poles. Anja comments that, "when it comes to the Jews, the Poles don't need much stirring up." Their Polish nurse is offended and tells the Spiegelmans that she considers them family, but when things really begin to get bad, even the nurse will turn against them (see Book I, Chapter 6).

In 1939, Vladek receives a letter from the government drafting him into the army. He is sent west, to the German front.