What characterized extermination camps established during World War II?

Extermination camps established during World War II were specifically designed for the systematic and rapid killing of large numbers of people, primarily targeting Jews and other groups deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime. These camps utilized methods such as gas chambers, mass shootings, and other forms of execution to annihilate their victims quickly and efficiently.

Unlike medical treatment facilities, extermination camps did not offer care or support for the sick. They focused solely on the extermination process. Additionally, these camps were not designed to provide temporary housing for refugees, as they were not intended for relocation or shelter but rather for mass murder. The idea of re-education programs at extermination camps is also misleading, as these facilities were aimed at extermination rather than rehabilitation or indoctrination. Therefore, the defining characteristic of extermination camps was their purposefulness in enabling rapid killing.