Anti-SemitismAn Underlying Factor in the Holocaust

CHY4U

Early History of Anti-Semitism Jews = different

Rome before Christianity Jews = monotheistic, Roman state religion = pagan

(polytheistic)

Early Christianity Jews accused of deicide, killing the son of God (Jesus)

Middle Ages and Anti-Semitism This period provides the roots of some of the

most common images of and myths about Jews In many myths, Jews are often associated with

money This may originate from the fact that Jews weren’t

allowed to own land in many parts of Europe; they often became money lenders, especially to royalty in England and France. In a sacred Christian world usury was seen as immoral.

Middle Ages, con’t

In many myths Jews are often associated with the devil Can be traced back to the murder of a boy in 12th

century England that was wrongly attributed to local Jews. Since the local people were hoping to get a spot on the pilgrimage route (money) they whipped up the story. The myth spread. Jews portrayed with horns and tails, as the Anti-Christ

Middle Ages, con’t

Myth of ritual murder / ritual slaughter or blood libel Myth that Jews abducted Christian children at

Easter time in order to re-enact the crucifixion and mix children’s blood with matzah at Passover time.

Though the Church did not officially sanction such myths, they were popularized and people came to fear Jews (e.g., pogroms (massacres) common at Easter time).

Jewish Blood

Racial and biological aspects of anti-Semitism began to surface in Spain in the 1400s. Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492 if they

didn’t convert to Christianity.

Even converts (conversos) were persecuted because they still had Jewish blood.

Luther and the Jews

Luther thought there was no good Jew but a converted Jew.

Integrate or be expelled.

When Jews didn’t convert his followers expressed their anger by setting synagogues on fire and destroying Jewish homes.

Enlightenment and French Revolution Enlightened Despots introduced toleration of

Jews.

Jews gained citizenship in France in 1791. By contrast, in Britain in 1858, Italy 1870 and

Germany 1871.

Era of Nationalism (Germany) Cultural nationalism in Germany focused on

the idea of volk, or German people/nation.

This was a conservative idea going back to the that there was a certain German character.

Jews were seen as being outside of this, or alien.

Criticized by the Right and Left (ironically)

Leftist image: Rightist image :

Too capitalist Too capitalist

Too conservative Too progressive, modern

Too right wing Too left wing

Being attacked for being right and left allowed Jews to be easily targeted by conservatives (who feared the left-wing), the middle class (who feared both extremes) and the unemployed (who resented modernization).

Jews in Germany Leading Up To Hitler Made up less than one percent of the

population 600 000 people

100 000 had served in World War One

Most were highly assimilated Spoke German

Had high rates of inter-marriage Saw themselves as Germans

DerSturmer

DerSturmer, 1934 – accused European Jews of wanting war while everyone else wanted peace

USHMM. Holocaust Encyclopedia: Protocols of the Elders of Zion – Artifact. April 1, 2010. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/gallery_da.php?ModuleId=10007058 (Dec. 2, 2010).

1939: medieval ritual murder image on the cover

USHMM. Propaganda – Artifact Gallery. N.d. http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/exhibit.html#/records/data/records/der-sturmer-ritual-murder.xml (Dec. 3, 2010).

Propaganda in Textbooks

German children’s book, 1936: “Jews are not wanted here.”

USHMM. Holocaust Encyclopedia: Anti-Semitism. April 1, 2010.

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005175 (Dec. 2, 2010).