The History of Anti-Semitism
Who are the Jews?
Confusing concept J.P. Sartre, French philosopher, said:
“Anyone is a Jew who thinks he is one, or who is regarded by others as one.” Important comment because it shows the arbitrary criteria on which hatred can be founded.
Jews, the Semitic tribe
Historically, they occupied the territory near the Dead Sea and the river Jordan. Area became a Roman protectorate shortly after the time of Christ 70 AD rebellion against Rome The temple of Jerusalem destroyed, the Diaspora begins,
The dispersal of the Jews throughout the Roman empire.
The Term Anti-Semitism
First used as a term in Germany in the 1870’s by Wilhelm Marr Not accurate. Anti-Judaism would be more accurate
When does AntiSemitism/Judaism begin?
Has existed since the earliest Jewish Communities Why?
Romans disliked the Jews because they did not swear allegiance to the Roman gods.
11 Century- The Crusades th
First real massacre of Jews in Europe Marks beginning of blind unreasoning prejudice against the Jews. First crusade, 1096- Pope Urban II wants to liberate Jerusalem from the control of Islam
Anti-Judaism’s Fantasy accusations
Stole Christian children-blood libel Poisoned wells Caused the plague Desecrated the communion wafer Engaged in a world wide conspiracy to destroy Christianity There is not one documented case that the Jews did any of this. Confessions achieved through torture.
Picture of a Jew Poisoning A Well
Restrictions on Jews in Middle Ages
Not allowed to own land, they could not farm Most professions off limits Not allowed to join guilds, barred from manufacturing activities Not allowed to practice law or medicine Could not hold office Since Christians were prohibited from usury (lending money) Jews took over banking functions. Jews prohibited from living in certain parts of town; Ghettos in all major cities.
The Protestant Reformation
Was the split between the Catholic and Protestant Churches Martin Luther accepted the Jews until they would not convert to Lutheranism His writings later exploited by the Nazis His dislike for Jews is much different, based on religion, not race. Samples of Anti-Jewish Themes in Martin Luther’s
Between 16 and 18 Centuries th
th
Changes in attitudes Economic expansion for all, including the Jews Jews gained full citizenship rights in western Europe France, Austria and Prussia were among the first to grant Jews civil freedoms and rights of citizenship
Jews in Germany in the 1800’s
Very well assimilated into German society 1871 national laws made Jews equal Jews emerged from Ghettos Jews regarded Germany as a country where merit counted above all They converted, dropped Jewish names Jews thought of themselves as Germans of Jewish decent
Anti-Semitism still present
As Jews became successful, old antiSemitic hatreds resurfaced They were associated with capitalism With the massive changes in society from the 18th century on, capitalism became vilified. Anti-Semitism was everywhere
Rise of Modern Anti-Semitism
1882-1886 The beginning of racial antiSemitism. Emerged out of an emphasis on Nationalism Germany unified under Bismark in 1871 An identity declared through exclusivity and the creation of a common enemy
Before WWI
Germany still very prosperous Things are not bad, but when things go bad, the Jews are blamed But society is changing, change is frightening Industrialization, displacement, impoverishment of workers, insecurity People wanted an answer, a simple answer. Racial anti-Semitism grew in these conditions.
Racial Anti-Semitism
Late 19th century, ancient prejudices are recast in racial form Use of modern science for racial theories But really a pseudo-science, not legitimate Helped to legitimize anti-Semitism Proliferated throughout Germany and all of Europe, even in the USA.
Extermination
The notion came into its own before WWI
Was a minority view. Not taken seriously by most people
Calls for the genocide or for the removal of the Jews to a distant land Just about all that the Nazis thought about the Jews was already a part of public discourse before they came to power.
Austria
Where Hitler was from Hotbed of anti-Semitism Very large numbers of Jews lived in Austria and Vienna Jews assumed leading positions in cultural fields
Political Anti-Semitism ď Ž ď Ž
Also in France, the Dreyfus Affair In Germany, Anti-Semitism did not become part of political programs of parties until the Nazis
How did Hitler Come to Power?
Looking at Nazi propaganda to see how he did it. Early propaganda and Nazi party advertisements show how he appealed to the German public. Look for anti-Semitism as a political tool
Historical Background
WWI (1914-1918): Very crippling defeat for Germany The Weimar Republic was established after the monarchy came to an end after WWI
Nazi Propaganda ď Ž
What is propaganda? ď Ž
--some sort of communication to large groups of people for the purpose of manipulating their thoughts.
Joseph Goebbels giving a speech
Minister of Propaganda Ensured a one-sided exposure of the public to Nazi ideology What did Hitler want art (movies, posters, paintings, etc.) to do?
The worm
“Where something is rotten, the Jew is the cause.” The worm is named “Jewish scandals” The apple is named “the German economy”
Nazi Propaganda Posters after Hitler comes into Power
Germany on the Cross
Example of religious Christian symbolism used for Nazi propaganda Anti-Semitic Germany being crucified like Christ
First kind of “therapy” was euthanasia.
In the 1930’s they began to murder the mentally handicapped and the physically handicapped T4 program of euthanasia, euphemism for murder of social outcasts Hidden from the public, deception made easier by the confusion caused by the WWII (begins 1939)
Another “therapy”: the Holocaust
When Germany invaded Poland in 1939 WWII began Now the Nazis had 3 million Jews in Poland to deal with They applied what they had learned from their “euthanasia” program to the “problem” there Einsatzgruppen were inefficient Gassing experience applied on a grand scale Making the “Volk” “healthy” and “beautiful” translates into mass murder.
The Cultural war against the Jews After the Nazis came to power and during the Holocaust
Anti-Semitic propaganda goes mainstream
Begins to appear in all sorts of cultural arenas Its purpose was to project powerful images of internal and external foes This helped to maintain the illusion of national unity Helped to keep the people committed to the war effort
The idea of the conspiracy of the Jews ď Ž
ď Ž
Symbolically represents many arguments against the Jews What symbols do you see?
The Jew: War instigator and war lengthener ď Ž
ď Ž
Particularly nasty poster Blames Jews for WWII
Propaganda for Children
This is a children’s book Called the poison mushroom What does this picture imply?
The eternal Jew ď Ž ď Ž
Movie poster For the worst of the anti-Semitic films
A scene in the film
It equates Jews to rats Shows rats Too much for the German audience People left the theatre But the less blatant propaganda was successful
Conclusion
Why did the Germans accept the Nazis? It was a time of crisis. The party propaganda gave them easy answers to the turmoil they saw around them Eventually this propaganda made it easier for the Nazis to implement the Holocaust “We had the moral right to annihilate the people who wanted to annihilate us.”
Nuremberg (Nuernberg) Laws of 1935
Nuremberg is where the Nazis had their party rallies. These laws withdrew citizenship from Jews. Now they were only subjects. Forbade marriage and sexual relations between Jews and Germans. Jews could not employ German women under 45 in their household. Identified who was Jewish by % Jewish blood. Organized persecution of Jews began in earnest.
The Fate of more Jews in the Hands of the Nazis
Poland had 3 million Jews Germany only 500,000 Suddenly the Nazis had more Jews to deal with. At one point they thought of a plan to send the Jews to Madagascar British sea power curtailed this plan First Jews were “resettled” in ghettos When the USSR attacked in 1941, the Jews were seen as a particular problem The Nazis began to think of a "solution”
The Unforeseen Danger for the Jews
Especially the Jews outside of Germany did not see the danger They thought the Nazis were a passing phase to deal with and to survive They could not anticipate what was coming. After the war began, it was difficult for anyone to emigrate. Jews ordered to wear the Star of David in November 1939, now they were easily identified
The Holocaust spread all over Europe
As the Nazis occupy different countries, the persecution and deportation of Jews and other “undesireable” groups spreads
Fall 1941-Winter 1942: Decision for the “Final Solution”
There was no written order for this. Hitler spoke out his orders. Decision made to exterminate the Jews under Nazi control in first in mobile vans then in death camps. December 11. Following bombing of Pearl Harbor, Germany declares war on the U.S. January 1942: The Wannsee Conference. Coordination of the “Final Solution.”
Jewish Population in Europe
1933- 9 million Jews in Europe By 1945- 2 out of every 3 had been killed View map
Why the Jews? ď Ž ď Ž
Traditionally the scapegoats Hitler conveniently blamed them for everything
Why The Jews
World War I
100,000 Jews serve Germany 12,000 killed Some even had converted to Christianity
Hitler and the Jews
Hitler blames Jews for Germany’s loss in WWI Portrayed them as enemies and less than human
Why The Jews
Hitler and the Jews
Encouraged scientists to prove they were inferior Hitler believed in the superiority of the Aryan race Needed to purify Germany
Called racial hygiene
Racial theories turned into scientific proof
Why The Jews
Adolf Hitler did not invent prejudice
Created an environment in which Holocaust could take place
How do we view someone who is different? Antisemitism dates back to the beginning of Christianity
rumors of blood libel Christians blame Jews for death of Jesus Policies against the Jews