Knowing that millions died during World War II and about 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust could provide important context for understanding this passage. Some ways it could help are:
It demonstrates the scale and severity of the events described in the passage. If the passage discusses atrocities, suffering and massive loss of life during World War II, knowing that the death toll was in the millions helps put that in perspective and convey the magnitude of what happened.
It shows that the passage is likely discussing a time of extreme violence, oppression and genocide. The Holocaust, in which 6 million Jews were systematically murdered, represents one of the worst crimes in human history. So any passage referencing the Holocaust is likely describing a dark and horrific period.
It helps explain any references to Jews, Jewish persecution or the treatment of Jewish people in the passage. The passage may discuss antisemitism, Nazi policies aimed at Jews or the plight of Jews during World War II. Understanding the broader context of the Holocaust aids in interpreting such details.
It can provide a sense of setting and historical context. Simply knowing that a passage is about World War II and the Holocaust gives you a rough idea of the time period, geographic region, major global events and historical figures that may be involved.
So in summary, knowing the enormous human toll of World War II and the magnitude of the Holocaust can help you interpret a passage by providing context for the scale of the events, the type of suffering likely described, any references to Jews and the Holocaust, and a basic historical setting. This background information establishes an important frame of reference for accurately understanding the details in the text.